Navy News
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.
Romanians ready for Black Sea mission after training with Royal Navy
25 September 2025
Romanian sailors are ready to help make the Black Sea safe from mines after completing training in their new ship under the Royal Navy.
The 45 sailors of minehunter Capitan Constantin Dumitrescu have been put through the same demanding assessment all UK warships and their crew must pass before they deploy on front-line operations.
The Dumitrescu is a former Royal Navy minehunter, HMS Pembroke – one of two sister ships sold to the NATO ally (the former HMS Blyth was transferred two years ago and now sails as ROS Sublocotenent Ion Ghiculescu).
She was officially commissioned into the Forțele Navale Române at the beginning of August, since when her crew have received International Defence Training delivered by Fleet Operational Standards and Training. The organisation traces its history back to WW2, readying crews for the rigours of defeating the U-boat.
Since then, it’s gone through various name and location changes while the training and assessment has broadened to embrace almost aspects of naval warfare.
Today FOST prepares both British and allied warships either through assessments around the globe or, in home waters, off Plymouth (larger vessels) and the West Coast of Scotland (smaller ships such as minehunters, plus submarines).
In the hands of the Faslane division of FOST (Ships), the Romanians received bespoke high-intensity, scenario-based training, building up from the basics of safely operating at sea (navigating, coping with mock breakdowns, dealing with fires and flood) through to the core duty of finding and neutralising mines and full-scale naval combat.
“FOST training is not just about readiness – it’s about building trust, enhancing capability, and ensuring our allies can operate seamlessly alongside us in complex maritime environments,” explained Lieutenant Ollie Denton, the instructor embarked on the Dumitrescu.
The crew demonstrated exceptional tenacity, professionalism, and a positive attitude throughout.
Assessors were impressed by the Romanians from Commanding Officer Locotenent-Comandor Mãdãlina Drăgan, who led her crew with professionalism and good humour throughout the training period, which took place in Rosyth dockyard and in the North Sea off the Forth estuary.
What struck them in particular was both their technical proficiency and a strong esprit de corps – underlined by the pride Locotenent-Comandor Drăgan shown during the final assessment as FOST staff praised all aboard the Dumitrescu for their teamwork, professionalism and ability to adapt to rapidly-changing events.
“The crew demonstrated exceptional tenacity, professionalism, and a positive attitude throughout,” said an impressed Commander Tim Castrinoyannakis, Commander Global Sea Training.
“Their successful completion of training reflects the strength of our international partnerships and the value of Royal Navy training.”
With the training now under their belt, crew will sail Capitan Constantin Dumitrescu to her future home, Constanta Naval Base for maintenance, prior to expected operations in the Black Sea contributing to the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group. This multinational initiative involves close coordination with Bulgaria, Türkiye, and - when conditions permit—Ukraine.
The Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group is designed to enhance maritime security, ensure freedom of navigation, and counter the growing threat of naval mines in contested waters. Romanian participation in this task group reflects its growing role as a force providing regional security and its commitment to NATO’s collective defence posture.