NATO AWACS reconnaissance aircraft arrives in Romania to monitor Russian military activity

This was announced on the page of NATO forces on Twitter.

???????????? Today our @NATO E-3A Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems #AWACS arrived at the Romanian Air Force Base at Otopeni near #Bucharest to support #NATO reinforced presence in the eastern part of the Alliance and monitor Russian military activity @NATO_AIRCOM @MApNRomania pic.twitter.com/OP2yIZI1M6

— NATO Early Warning & Control Force (@NATOAWACS) January 17, 2023

The E-3A Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft arrived in Bucharest as part of the strengthening of the presence of the North Atlantic Alliance in Eastern Europe, it will monitor Russian military activity.

According to Voice of America, the warplane is equipped with long-range radars and sensors that can detect threats in the air and on the ground within a radius of 312,000 square kilometers. It can stay in the air without refueling for up to 11 hours.

In response to Russia's war in Ukraine, NATO has increased its air presence in Eastern Europe with additional fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft and refueling aircraft.  Since February 2022, NATO AWACS systems have been conducting regular patrols over Eastern Europe and the Baltic Sea region to track Russian warplanes near NATO borders.

AWACS will begin sorties in the coming days and will conduct them exclusively over Alliance territory for several weeks.

• On January 17, NATO announced plans to deploy long-range radar surveillance (AWACS) aircraft in Romania.