The Minister of National Defence, Mr. Gabriel Oprea will participate in the ceremony organized in Constanta Port for the deployment of Frigate 'Regele Ferdinand' within NATO-led operation 'Unified Protector', on Friday 22.

The frigate, under the command of Col (N) Mihai Panait will sail with a crew of 205, will conduct embargo missions against Lybia in the Mediterranean. Two Navy officers will be onboard as part of the staff of the NATO Navy Group in the Mediterranean.

On March 22, the Supreme Council for National Defence decided that Romania should participate with forces and equipment in the weapon embargo mission against Lybia. On March 23, the Government Decision No.270 was adopted, stipulating an increase of the defence budget with 19.164.000 lei of the National Reserve Fund, for the participation in operation 'Unified Protector'.

Frigate 'Regele Ferdinand' participated during 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010 in 'Active Endeavour' operation in the Mediterranean, conducting missions to prevent and counter terror and illegal trafficking, along other ships and forces under NATO command.

MoND Press Office