Romanian Navy Day will be celebrated on Saturday in six cities, with the main events taking place in Constanta, where more than 3,500 Romanian and foreign military personnel will take part in the military ceremony and the FNR 26.10 joint and interinstitutional naval exercise.

Events will be held in Constanta, Mangalia, Braila, Tulcea, Galati and Bucharest, the Naval Forces Staff (SMFN) announced.

According to a press release from the Ministry of National Defence, the main activities will take place in Constanta, on the seafront and in the maritime area in front of Fleet Command, where, starting at 10:00, more than 3,500 Romanian and foreign military personnel will participate in the military ceremony and the FNR 26.10 joint and interinstitutional naval exercise.

More than 50 ships and vessels and 15 military and civilian aircraft will take part in the exercise, alongside ground-based assets belonging to structures within the national defence, public order and national security system.

This year's edition marks the first participation of the 'Rear Admiral August Roman' - 261 corvette and the M 271 'Captain Constantin Dumitrescu' minehunter, which recently entered service with the Romanian Naval Forces. Military ships and aircraft from Türkiye, Bulgaria, Spain and France will also participate in the activities.

'The FNR 26.10 joint and interinstitutional naval exercise will reflect the high level of interoperability between the participating structures and will underline the importance of cooperation within the national defence, public order and national security system, as well as with international partners. The activities at sea will begin with the traditional arrival of Neptune, who will pass through a 'water gate' created by two maritime tugs, while nautical games will be held on the seafront. Subsequently, the 'Rear Admiral August Roman' - 261 corvette will perform the opening salute of the exercise,' the Romanian Naval Forces said in a statement.

FNR 26.10 will include mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare sequences, air defence, the repulsion of a maritime landing, combating illegal migration, and search-and-rescue missions at sea.

The events dedicated to Romanian Navy Day will conclude at 20:00 with a concert performed by the Naval Forces Military Band and a torchlight procession by military sailors, along the route Cazino - Ovidiu Square - the seafront in front of the Fleet Command building. Between 21:30 and 22:00, Constanta City Hall will organise a laser and light show in the northern area of Tomis breakwater. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Anamaria Constantin; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)