A Boeing E-3B Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft, call sign NATO04, has begun a reconnaissance mission in Romanian airspace. According to Flightradar, the aircraft took off from Preveza Air Base in Greece and spent several hours patrolling and monitoring Romanian territory.

Boeing E-3B Sentry, also known as the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, is designed to monitor airspace, detect and track air objects. This flying radar station is capable of determining the coordinates and movement parameters of aircraft, transmitting information to command posts for guiding interceptor fighters, as well as ensuring the coordination of frontline aviation.

According to experts, the increased AWACS activity over Romania is linked to growing tensions in the region. The increased patrols allow NATO to monitor the situation in the airspace near the borders of Ukraine and the Black Sea, which is part of the alliance's strategy to ensure the security of the eastern flank.

Patrolling the airspace over Romania and Eastern European countries has become a regular practice since the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine. AWACS aircraft act as NATO's "eyes and ears," providing allies with detailed information on air traffic.

The Boeing E-3B Sentry is equipped with a powerful radar system capable of detecting and tracking hundreds of air targets simultaneously at a distance of up to 400 kilometers. Its distinctive external element is a rotating radar antenna in the form of a large disk above the fuselage.

The primary missions of AWACS include:

– airspace control and warning of approaching threats;

– guiding fighters to targets;

– support for combat operations at low altitudes;

– transmission of operational information to ground command posts.

Experts believe that the appearance of a NATO aircraft in this area poses a threat of new attacks on Crimea.