NATO bolsters Black Sea defenses as attacks threaten commercial shipping

NATO will dispatch an array of military capabilities to the Black Sea following a series of attacks on commercial shipping near alliance territory. A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon flies over the Black Sea in 2020. NATO will dispatch an array of military capabilities to the Black Sea following a series of attacks on commercial shipping near alliance territory. (Brandon J. Vinson/U.S. Navy) NATO will dispatch an array of military capabilities to the Black Sea following a series of attacks on commercial shipping near alliance territory, the alliance said Tuesday. The reinforcements come amid calls for stronger defenses along the allies’ southeastern flank. “Allies have or will send additional maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems, explosive exploitation teams, intelligence personnel, drones, and more to the Black Sea,” U.S.

Army Col. Martin O’Donnell, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe spokesman, said in a statement. The announcement followed a meeting Tuesday of the North Atlantic Council, the alliance’s top decision-making body, to discuss security in the Black Sea. O’Donnell said the top priority is increasing situational awareness in the region “through increased sensors and data sharing.” NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart in a statement echoed those comments, saying the alliance has already strengthened its eastern flank defenses and would send additional resources for surveillance, reconnaissance and forensic investigations. The measures follow attacks in recent weeks on