View source for Romanian Naval Forces

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Romanian Naval Forces
| native_name                   = {{lang|ro|Forțele Navale Române}}
| image                         = Statul Major al Fortelor Navale.png
| caption                       = Romanian Naval Forces coat of arms
| start_date                    = 22 October 1860 as the Flotilla Corps<ref name="NavyRo">{{cite web|url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/istoric/istoric_index_en.php|title=The Romanian Naval Forces - Historical Background|access-date=2021-12-08|work=Romanian Naval Forces}}</ref>
| dates                         = 
| country                       = [[Romania]]
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = 
| type                          = 
| role                          = [[Naval warfare]], [[Amphibious warfare]], [[Naval mine|Mine warfare]]
| size                          = 6,800 personnel<ref name="IISS">{{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2022|author=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]|publisher=[[Routledge]]|pages=140–141|date=February 2022|isbn=978-1032279008}}</ref>
| command_structure             = [[Romanian Armed Forces]]
| garrison                      = ''Statul Major al Forțelor Navale'' – [[Bucharest]]
| garrison_label                = Command HQ
| battles                       = 
*[[Romanian War of Independence]]
*[[Second Balkan War]]
*[[World War I]]
*[[World War II]]
*[[2011 military intervention in Libya]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-8423876-traian-basescu-sustine-declaratie-presa-ora-21-00-dupa-sedinta-csat.htm |title=''Traian Basescu: Romania va trimite fregata Regele Ferdinand cu 205 militari in Mediterana pentru operatiuni de blocare a oricarei nave suspecte ca transporta armament'' |publisher=HotNews.ro |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=22 March 2011 |language=ro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325033747/http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-8423876-traian-basescu-sustine-declaratie-presa-ora-21-00-dupa-sedinta-csat.htm |archive-date=25 March 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| equipment                     = 
| equipment_label               = 
| nickname                      = 
| motto                         = 
| colors                        = 
| colors_label                  = 
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| anniversaries                 = 
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = <!-- Commanders -->
| commander1                    = Vice Admiral Mihai Panait
| commander1_label              = [[Commander of the Navy (Romania)|Commander of the Navy]]
| commander2                    = 
| commander2_label              = 
| commander3                    = 
| commander3_label              = 
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Roundel of Romania.svg|55px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Roundel
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Romanian Battle Flag - Naval Forces Model.svg|80px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = [[Military colors]]
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Naval Jack of Romania (2019-).svg|55px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = [[Naval jack]]
| identification_symbol_4       = [[File:Flag of the Romanian Naval Forces (Obverse).svg|75px]]
| identification_symbol_4_label = Identification flag (obverse)
| identification_symbol_5       = [[File:Masthead pennant of Romania.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol_5_label = [[Commissioning pennant|Pennant]]
| identification_symbol_6       = 
| identification_symbol_6_label = 
}}

The '''Romanian Naval Forces''' ({{langx|ro|Forțele Navale Române}}) is the principal [[Navy|naval branch]] of the [[Romanian Armed Forces]] and operates in the [[Black Sea]] and on the [[Danube]]. It traces its history back to 1860.

==History==
{{See also|List of battles of the Romanian Navy}}
[[File:Alexandru Ioan Cuza - foto01.jpg|thumb|left|[[Alexandru Ioan Cuza]], the founder of the Romanian Navy]]
The Romanian Navy was founded in 1860 as a river flotilla on the Danube. After the unification of [[Wallachia]] and [[Moldavia]], [[Alexandru Ioan Cuza]], the ruling [[Domnitor]] of the [[United Principalities|Romanian Principalities]], decided on 22 October 1860 by order no. 173 to unify the navies into a single flotilla, the [[Romanian Danube Flotilla|Danube Flotilla Corps]].<ref name="NavyRo"/> The navy was French-trained and organized.<ref name="Axworthy327">Axworthy, p. 327</ref> Officers were initially sent to [[Brest Naval Training Centre]] in France, as the Military School in [[Bucharest]] did not have a naval section.<ref name="NavyRo" /> The first Commander-in-chief of the navy was Colonel [[:ro:Nicolae Steriade|Nicolae Steriade]]. The base was first established in 1861 at [[Izmail]], but it was later relocated in 1864 to [[Brăila]] and in 1867 to [[Galați]]. The equipment was modest at best, with 3 ships from Wallachia and 3 from Moldavia, manned by 275 sailors.<ref name="NavyRo" /> The main goal of the navy was to organize, train and expand this small force.

[[File:Macheta navei cu zbaturi România.jpg|thumb|Model of the paddle ship ''România'']]
The first seamen's training school was established in 1872 at Galați for officers, petty officers and sailors. The first acquisition of the Romanian Navy was the [[Paddle steamer|paddle steamboat]] "''Prințul Nicolae Conache Vogoride''". The ship was purchased in 1861 and was later transformed into a warship at Meyer naval shipyard in [[Linz]], being christened "''{{ill|România (ship)|lt=România|ro|Bastimentul România}}''" when it was launched at [[Port of Galați|Galați harbor]].<ref name="NavyRo" /> In 1867, the royal yacht "''Ștefan cel Mare''" ([[Stephen III of Moldavia|Stephen the Great]]) entered service. In October 1873, the ''Fulgerul'' gunboat, ordered by the Romanian state as the first purpose-built warship in the history of the Romanian Navy, was finished at the Toulon shipyard in France. However, the ship was unarmed, so she would be allowed passage through the Turkish straits. After arriving in Romania in April 1874, she was fitted with a Krupp cannon in a mild steel turret at the [[Galați shipyard]].<ref>Locot.-Comandor C. Ciuchi – "Istoria Marinei Române în curs de 18 secole" (Tipografia "Ovidiu" H. Vurlis, Constanța, 1906), pag. 160–162</ref> The next ship to enter service with the Romanian Navy was the [[spar torpedo]] boat {{NMS|Rândunica}} in 1875. These ships represented the Romanian Flotilla during the [[Romanian War of Independence|War of Independence]].

===Romanian Navy during the War of Independence===
{{See also|Action off Măcin}}
[[File:Fulgerul foto original 02.JPG|thumb|right|"''Fulgerul''" (The Lightning) gunboat, built in 1873 at [[Toulon]] and armed in the following year at [[Galați]], was the first military ship to have sailed under Romanian flag in maritime waters.]]

During the [[Romanian War of Independence|War of Independence]], the name used in Romanian historiography to refer to the [[Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)|1877–1878 Russo-Turkish war]], the Romanian Navy sailed under the Russian flag.<ref name="Axworthy327" /> The main task of the Romanian Flotilla Corps was to transport Russian troops, equipment and supplies across the Danube and to protect the bridges across the river by using mine barrages in key points. The main success of the war was the sinking of the Turkish river monitor "''Seyfî''" near Măcin by a group of spar torpedo boats including "''Rândunica''" and the Russian ''Carevitch'' and ''Ksenya'' crafts.<ref name="NavyRo" /> Another notable success was the sinking of the Turkish river monitor "''Podgoriçe''" ([[Podgorica]]) by the Romanian coastal artillery on 7 November 1877.<ref name="NavyRo" />

After the war, the navy transported the Romanian troops back across the Danube. The small but successful navy had demonstrated the need for a strong Danube flotilla in order to secure the southern border of Romania. Three rearmament plans were implemented: during 1883–1885, 1886–1888 and 1906–1908.<ref name="NavyRo" /> These plans mainly concentrated on the Danube flotilla. In 1896, the "Flotilla Corps", as it was known until then, was organized in two sections: the [[Romanian Danube Flotilla|Danube Division]] and the Sea Division.<ref name="Gardiner84421">Gardiner (1984), p. 421</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/flotila_fluviala/istoric.php|title=Scurt istoric al Comandamentului Flotilei Fluviale|language=ro|website=navy.ro}}</ref> The riverine base was at Galați, while the maritime base was at [[Constanța]], which was by then part of Romania.

===Creation of the Romanian Black Sea Fleet===
The Romanian Black Sea Fleet was founded in the summer of 1890, 10 years after Romania acquired its first sea-going warship: the gunboat {{NMS|Grivița}}. The newly created division consisted of the small protected cruiser {{NMS|Elisabeta}}, the training ship {{NMS|Mircea|1882|6}}, the three [[NMS Smeul (1888)|''Smeul''-class]] torpedo boats, and the forementioned ''Grivița''.<ref>''Warship International, Volume 21'', International Naval Research Organization, 1984, p. 160</ref>

===Involvement in the Potemkin mutiny===
[[File:Knyaz'Potemkin-Tavricheskiy1905Constanta.jpg|thumb|''Potemkin'' at anchor with the Romanian flag hoisted on her mast, Constanța, July 1905]]
On 2 July 1905, during the mutiny of the {{ship|Russian battleship|Potemkin|up=yes}}, the Romanian protected cruiser {{NMS|Elisabeta}} engaged the {{ship|Russian torpedo boat|Ismail|up=yes}} as the latter was trying to sneak into the Romanian [[port of Constanța]]. ''Elisabeta'' fired two warning shots, first a blank charge then an explosive charge, forcing the torpedo boat to retreat. Later that day, ''Potemkin'' and ''Ismail'' left Romanian waters.<ref name="Neal Bascomb p. 252">Neal Bascomb, ''Red Mutiny: Eleven Fateful Days on the Battleship Potemkin'', p. 252</ref> During the night of 7 July, however, ''Potemkin'' returned to the Romanian port, this time agreeing to surrender to the Romanian authorities in exchange for the latter giving asylum to the crew. On the noon of 8 July, Captain Negru, the commander of the port, came aboard the ''Potemkin'' and hoisted the Romanian flag before allowing the warship to enter the inner harbor.<ref>Neal Bascomb, ''Red Mutiny: Eleven Fateful Days on the Battleship Potemkin'', pp. 286–99</ref> On 10 July, after negotiations with the Romanian Government, ''Potemkin'' was handed over to Imperial Russian authorities and taken to [[Sevastopol]].<ref name="Neal Bascomb p. 252"/><ref>Antony Preston, ''Warship 2001–2002'', p. 121</ref>

===Romanian Navy during World War I===
{{See also|Romanian Navy during World War I|Romanian Black Sea Fleet during World War I}}

[[File:Romanian cruiser Elisabeth.jpg|thumb|right|The protected cruiser ''Elisabeta'' (Elizabeth), built in 1888 by [[Armstrong Whitworth|Armstrong]]]]

After the [[Romanian War of Independence|War of Independence]], two naval rearmament programs were proposed for the Black Sea flotilla. The 1899 program called for six coastal [[Coastal defence ship|battleships]], four [[destroyer]]s and twelve [[torpedo boat]]s.<ref name="Gardiner84421" /> None of these ships were ever built,<ref name="Halpern276">Halpern, p. 276</ref> while the battleship ''Potemkin'' was returned 1 day after being acquired. The 1912 naval program envisioned six 3,500-ton light cruisers, twelve 1,500-ton destroyers and a submarine.<ref name="Gardiner84421" /><ref name="Halpern276" /> Four [[Vifor-class destroyer|destroyers]] (and allegedly a submarine<ref name="Axworthy327" /><ref name="Gardiner84421" />) were actually ordered from Italy but were not delivered, as the [[Italian Navy]] requisitioned them in 1914.<ref name="Axworthy327" /><ref name="Gardiner84421" /><ref name="Halpern276" /> Three 340-ton coastal submarines were ordered from France in early 1917, but these were also requisitioned at the end of the year and completed for the [[French Navy]] as the ''[[French submarine O'Byrne|O'Byrne]]'' class. The largest Romanian Black Sea ship was the old cruiser {{NMS|Elisabeta||2}}, laid down in 1888.<ref>Gardiner (1997), p. 419</ref> The protected cruiser had guarded the mouths of the river [[Danube]] during the [[Second Balkan War]], but she was disarmed when [[World War I]] began. Her armament was emplaced on the bank of the Danube River to protect against possible attacks by [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungaria]]n river monitors, and she remained in [[Sulina]] for the duration of the war.<ref name="Gardiner84421" /> The Romanian Black Sea squadron also had four old gunboats from the 1880s, which were of limited value, and three old ''Năluca''-class torpedo boats, built in France.<ref name="Halpern276" /> The Romanian Navy had to rely on the armed merchant ships of the state merchant marine, known as SMR (''Serviciul Maritim Român'').<ref name="Axworthy327" /><ref name="Gardiner84421" /> The steam liners ''Regele Carol I'', ''România'', ''Împăratul Traian'' and ''Dacia'' were converted into [[Armed merchantman|auxiliary cruisers]].<ref name="Halpern276" /><ref>Gardiner (1984), p. 423</ref>

The Danube Flotilla was more modern,<ref name="Gardiner84421" /><ref name="Halpern277">Halpern, p. 277</ref> and consisted of four [[river monitor]]s (''Lascăr Catargiu'', {{NMS|Mihail Kogălniceanu||2}}, ''Ion C. Brătianu'' and ''Alexandru Lahovari'') and eight British-built torpedo boats.<ref name="Axworthy327" /> The four river monitors were built in 1907 at [[Galați]]. They were armed with three 12-cm cannons each. In 1918, ''Mihail Kogălniceanu'' was converted to a sea-going monitor. The British torpedo boats of the ''Căpitan Nicolae Lascăr Bogdan'' class were built during 1906–1907 and weighed 50 tons each. There were also approximately six older gunboats used for border patrol and as minelayers, and other auxiliary ships used for transport or supply.<ref name="Halpern277" /> The Romanian Navy had a secondary role during World War I and only had light losses.<ref name="Axworthy327" /> The river monitors participated in the defense of [[Tutrakan|Turtucaia]] and later secured the flank of the Romanian and Russian defenders in [[Dobruja]].<ref>Halpern, p. 278</ref> The main success of the war was the mining of an Austro-Hungarian river monitor.<ref name="Axworthy327" />

===Romanian Navy during the interwar period===

[[File:RegeleFerdinand1935.jpg|thumb|right|The destroyer ''Regele Ferdinand'' in 1935]]

Following the end of World War I, the [[Kingdom of Romania]] took possession of three Austro-Hungarian river monitors<ref name="Gardiner84421" /> (renamed ''[[NMS Ardeal|Ardeal]]'', ''[[NMS Basarabia|Basarabia]]'' and ''[[NMS Bucovina|Bucovina]]'' after the newly incorporated territories), and in 1921 purchased four Italian patrol boats. These ships, together with the ones already in service, made Romania's Danube flotilla the most powerful riverine fleet in the world until [[World War II]].<ref name="Axworthy327" />

The main focus of the Romanian Navy during the interwar period was the [[Black Sea]] fleet. In 1920, two of the initial four [[Aquila-class cruiser|''Aquila''-class]] [[scout cruiser]]s (officially designated as destroyers) ordered from Italy were received.<ref name="Gardiner84421" /> These were renamed {{NMS|Mărășești||2}} and {{NMS|Mărăști||2}}.<ref name="Gardiner83422">Gardiner (1984), p. 422</ref> Four gunboats were purchased from the French Navy: ''Stihi'', ''Dumitrescu'', ''Lepri'' and {{NMS|Sublocotenent Ghiculescu||2}}.<ref name="Axworthy327" /><ref name="Gardiner80359">Gardiner (1980), p. 359</ref> Another gunboat of the same class was bought for spares.<ref name="Gardiner83422" /> Seven torpedo boats were received as war reparations from [[Austria-Hungary]].<ref name="Gardiner84421" /> The torpedo boat ''Fulgerul'' however was lost during the trip to Romania when she capsized and sank in the Bosphorus in 1922.<ref name="Gardiner83422" /> {{NMS|Năluca||2}}, {{NMS|Sborul||2}} and {{NMS|Smeul|1888|2}}, three of these old torpedo boats, will later see service in World War II. In 1926, two additional destroyers were ordered from Italy: ''[[NMS Regele Ferdinand|Regele Ferdinand]]'' and  ''[[NMS Regina Maria|Regina Maria]]'' of the [[Regele Ferdinand class destroyer]], together with the Romanian Navy's first submarine, {{NMS|Delfinul||2}}, and the submarine tender {{NMS|Constanța||2}}.<ref name="Gardiner80359" /> These ships were commissioned between 1930 and 1936.<ref name="Axworthy327" />

The expansion of the Romanian Navy during the interwar period required more training facilities and ships. The first step towards this issue was taken in 1920, when a naval college was founded at Constanța. In 1938, the sail ship ''[[Mircea (ship)|Mircea]]'' was built in [[Hamburg]] by the [[Blohm & Voss]] shipyard as a training vessel for the Romanian Navy. The SMR (''Serviciul Maritim Român'', the Romanian state merchant marine) was also endowed with a number of new ships: the steamer ''Oituz'', the ex-German freighters ''Ardeal'', ''Peleș'', ''Alba Iulia'' and ''Suceava'' (all of them commissioned between 1932 and 1933), the passenger liners ''Basarabia'' and ''Transilvania'' (bought from Germany in 1938) and four new freighters from Italy just before the start of the Second World War: ''Balcic'', ''Cavarna'', ''Mangalia'' and ''Sulina''.<ref name="Axworthy328" /> In 1940, the SMR had 17 merchant ships with a total of over 72,000 tons of shipping.<ref name="Axworthy328" />

===The 1937 naval program and subsequent developments===
[[File:Amiral Murgescu (side).jpg|thumb|Anti-aircraft escort minelayer ''Amiral Murgescu'', the largest Romanian-built warship of World War II]] 
[[File:Rechinul and Marsuinul.jpg|thumb|Submarines ''Rechinul'' (left) and ''Marsuinul'' (right)]]
[[File:Romanian MTB Vântul.jpg|thumb|''Vedenia''-class MTB ''Vântul'']]

In 1937, a new rearmament program was proposed. The new plan envisioned a cruiser, four small destroyers, three submarines, two minelayers and ten motor torpedo boats.<ref>Robert Gardiner, ''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946'', Naval Institute Press, 1980, p. 360</ref> These warships were to be built locally at the [[Galați shipyard]], where a new dry dock was developed.<ref name="Axworthy328">Axworthy, p. 328</ref>

The anti-aircraft escort minelayer {{NMS|Amiral Murgescu||2}} was laid down at the [[Galați shipyard]] in August 1938, launched in June 1939 and commissioned during the first half of 1941. She replaced the planned cruiser as the largest warship yielded by the 1937 program. She was employed in minelaying operations as well as convoy escort missions. Her main armament consisted of [[10.5 cm SK C/32 naval gun]]s, much like the German anti-aircraft cruisers {{SMS|Arcona|1902|2}} and {{ship|German anti-aircraft cruiser|Niobe||2}}. Her sister ship, ''Cetatea Albă'', was laid down in 1939, but abandoned at an early stage.<ref>''Naval Institute Proceedings, Volume 65'', United States Naval Institute, 1939, p. 1364</ref><ref>Robert Gardiner, ''Warship 1991'', Conway Maritime Press, 1991, p. 147</ref> Her construction was transferred to [[Nazi Germany|Germany]] and in 1940 she was completed by the [[Blohm & Voss]] shipyard in [[Hamburg]].<ref name="Earl Thomas Allnutt Brassey 1947, p. 259">Earl Thomas Allnutt Brassey, ''Brassey's Annual: The Armed Forces Year-book, Volume 58'', Praeger Publishers, 1947, p. 259</ref> ''Cetatea Albă'' had the same standard displacement and top speed as her sister. It is not known, however, if her armament consisted of more than two 102&nbsp;mm dual-purpose main guns, two 37&nbsp;mm anti-aircraft guns and 135 mines.<ref name="Earl Thomas Allnutt Brassey 1947, p. 259"/> ''Cetatea Albă'' was likely never commissioned.

The four planned destroyers were replaced by four German [[M-class minesweeper (Germany)|M-class]] minesweepers. These were built locally from German materials in 1943. They were 500-ton vessels armed each with two 88&nbsp;mm main guns, five anti-aircraft guns (two 37&nbsp;mm and three 20&nbsp;mm) and two depth-charge throwers.<ref>Frederick Thomas Jane, ''Jane's Fighting Ships'', Sampson Low, Marston and Company, 1974, p. 275</ref>

Two of the three planned submarines were laid down at the Galați shipyard in 1938, launched in May 1941 and commissioned in May 1943. The first one was {{NMS|Marsuinul||2}}, a 620-ton attack submarine armed with one 105&nbsp;mm deck gun, one 37&nbsp;mm anti-aircraft gun and six 533&nbsp;mm torpedo tubes (4 bow and 2 stern). Her smaller sister ship, ''Rechinul'', was a 585-ton minelaying submarine armed with one 20&nbsp;mm anti-aircraft gun, four 533&nbsp;mm torpedo tubes and 40 mines. The third planned submarine was replaced by five Italian [[CB-class midget submarine|CB]] midget submarines, commissioned in late 1943.<ref>Robert Gardiner, ''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946'', Naval Institute Press, 1980, p. 361</ref> The [[OMm35-class minelayer|two minelayers]] were acquired in 1941.

Three of the ten planned motor torpedo boats were built by [[Vospers]] in the United Kingdom and acquired in 1940. They were named ''Viforul'', {{NMS|Viscolul||2}} and ''Vijelia''.<ref name="Robert Gardiner 1980, p. 362">Robert Gardiner, ''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946'', Naval Institute Press, 1980, p. 362</ref> Six more MTBs, of the [[British Power Boat Company|Power type]], were built locally as the {{NMS|Vedenia||2}} class. They were laid down in 1939 and commissioned in 1943. The planned number of MTBs was exceeded in August 1943, when seven Italian [[MAS (motorboat)|MAS]] were also commissioned.<ref>''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946'', Conway Maritime Press, 1980, pp. 313–314</ref> These were followed by four 65-ton German [[E-boat|S-boat]]s in August 1944, each armed with two 500&nbsp;mm torpedo tubes.<ref>Crăciunoiu, Cristian. ''Romanian navy torpedo boats'' (Modelism Publishing, 2003), pp. 154–155.</ref><ref>''Jane's fighting ships: 1953–1954'', Sampson Low, Marston, 1955, p. 294</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-

!Warships envisioned by the 1937 program
!Warships acquired until [[King Michael's Coup|23 August 1944]]
|-
|1 cruiser || 1 minelayer/escort ship
|-
|4 destroyers || 4 escort minesweepers (commissioned postwar)
|-
|3 submarines || 2 submarines (plus 5 midget submarines)
|-
|2 minelayers || 2 minelayers
|-
|10 MTBs || 20 MTBs
|}

===World War II and postwar===
{{main|Romanian Navy during World War II}}
{{Further|Submarine warfare in the Black Sea campaigns (1941–42)|Soviet Black Sea Fleet during the Battle of Stalingrad|Romanian World War II destroyers|Romanian submarines of World War II|List of Romanian-built warships of World War II}}
[[File:NicolaeUrsuDelfinul.jpg|thumb|left|NMS ''Delfinul'', the only Axis submarine in the Black Sea in 1941, acted mainly as a "[[fleet in being|ship-in-being]]" due to its obsolescence and sank only one unescorted merchant ship.]]

In 1941, the Royal Romanian Navy had four destroyers (''Mărășești'', ''Mărăști'', ''Regele Ferdinand'' and ''Regina Maria''), one submarine (''Delfinul''), two minelayers (''Amiral Murgescu'' and ''Cetatea Albă'', also employed as a [[destroyer escort]]s), three auxiliary minelayers, three [[motor torpedo boat]]s (''Viforul'', ''Vijelia'', and {{NMS|Viscolul||2}}), three gunboats, fifteen small auxiliary vessels and twenty seaplanes.<ref>Axworthy, p. 328-329</ref><ref name="Robert Gardiner 1980, p. 362"/>
''Mărăști'' had a cracked shaft and could not exceed the speed of 24 knots. As a result, ''Mărăști'' never ventured far from the coast. ''Delfinul'', the only Axis submarine present in the Black Sea in 1941, was obsolete and mechanically unreliable.<ref>Axworthy, p. 336</ref> By comparison, the [[Black Sea Fleet|Soviet Black Sea Fleet]] had a battleship, three medium cruisers, three light cruisers, three flotilla leaders, eight modern destroyers, five old destroyers, two large torpedo boats, 47 submarines and many other auxiliary and small vessels.<ref name="Axworthy328" /> The overwhelming superiority of the [[Soviet Navy]] forced the Royal Romanian Navy to conduct mainly defensive operations throughout the entire war and its warships rarely hazarded further east than [[Cape Sarych]].<ref name=":2">Axworthy, p. 332</ref>

The two ''Regele Ferdinand''-class destroyers were the most powerful surface units available to the [[Axis powers]] during the [[Black Sea Campaigns (1941-44)|naval war in the Black Sea]] but were mostly used for convoy escort. The Romanian-built minelayer/destroyer escort ''Amiral Murgescu'' and the three auxiliary minelayers of the Romanian Navy played an important role in the [[Raid on Constanta|defence of Constanța in 1941]] and later in securing the merchant convoy routes to the [[Bosphorus]] and the supply routes to [[Odessa]] and [[Sevastopol]]. Mines were the main cause of Soviet submarine losses in the Black Sea naval war. Wartime additions to the fleet included 3 KFK naval trawlers and 3 landing craft of the [[Marinefährprahm|MFP]] type.<ref>Cornel I. Scafeș, ''Armata Română 1941–1945'', RAI Publishing, 1996, p. 174.</ref>

The Royal Romanian Navy was involved in the [[Crimean Offensive|evacuation of Axis forces from Crimea]] in 1944. The Romanian naval commander, Rear Admiral [[Horia Macellariu]], was awarded the German [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]] after ''Operation 60,000'', the contingency plan for the evacuation of [[Crimea]].<ref name="Axworthy344">Axworthy, p. 344</ref> Until [[King Michael's Coup]], the Romanian Navy retreated behind the protection of the coastal mine barrages and anti-aircraft defences of Constanța as the [[Soviet Air Force]] began to launch heavy air attacks. On the capitulation of Romania in August 1944, the German warships were ordered to leave Romanian harbours. However, when the Soviet minesweeper ''T-410 Vzryv'', accompanied by ''Amiral Murgescu'', was sunk by a German submarine, the Soviet Navy accused the Royal Romanian Navy of betrayal and seized all vessels using this excuse on 5 September 1944.<ref>Axworthy, p. 345</ref> By this late stage of the war, only one destroyer (''Regina Maria''), one leader (''Mărășești''), two gunboats (''Dumitrescu'' and ''Ghiculescu''), one minelayer (''Amiral Murgescu'') and three motor torpedo boats were still operational. The rest of the warships were in repairs after the evacuation of Crimea and the Soviet air attacks of the preceding couple of months or had been relegated to training duties. The Soviet Navy moved all Romanian warships to [[Caucasus|Caucasian]] ports. They were not returned until after the war. The older vessels were received in September 1945, while the more modern ones (such as the ''Regele Ferdinand class'') were kept by the Soviet Black Sea Fleet until the early 1950s.<ref>Gardiner (1980), p. 361</ref> A number of warships were never returned.

The largest Romanian warship loss of the entire war was the accidental sinking of the gunboat ''Lepri''. The gunboat ran into a Romanian mine laid by the minelayer ''Aurora'' near [[Sulina]] in January 1941, when hostilities between the Soviet Union and the Axis had not begun. While the Royal Romanian Navy had light losses throughout the war, the state merchant navy was practically non-existent by late 1944: every ship of the ''SMR'' was sunk or damaged by the Soviet Navy and Air Force because of the light Romanian and German forces in the Black Sea that were unable to provide adequate protection.<ref>Axworthy, p. 348</ref>

The following is a list of battles and operations of the [[Black Sea campaigns (1941–44)|World War II Black Sea Campaign]] involving the Romanian Navy:
* [[Raid on Constanța]]
* [[Operation München]]
** [[Action of 9 July 1941]]
* [[Siege of Odessa (1941)]]
* [[Crimean Campaign]]
* [[Operation Achse]]
* [[Crimean Offensive]]

The Romanian Naval Forces were reorganized during the [[Soviet occupation of Romania]] as the [[Romanian People's Army|Romanian People's Navy]].<ref>{{Cite book
| publisher = East European Monographs ; distributed by Columbia University Press
| isbn = 9780880336628
| last = Șperlea
| first = Florin
| title = From the royal armed forces to the popular armed forces: Sovietization of the Romanian military (1948-1955)
| location = Boulder : New York
| series = East European monographs
| date = 2009
}}</ref><ref>
{{Cite web
| title = Romania – Navy
| work = GlobalSecurity.org
| access-date = 2014-03-23
| url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/ro-navy-history-4.htm
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130413051742/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/ro-navy-history-4.htm
| archive-date = 13 April 2013
| url-status = live
| df = dmy-all
}}
</ref> Under the Romanian People's Navy, the "Nava Majestăţii Sale" (NMS) designation (or “[[Her Majesty's Ship|His/Her Majesty's Ship]]”) that is given to each ship under Romanian Royal Navy was abolished.

====World War II Romanian Black Sea Fleet warships====
Romanian naval forces in the Black Sea consisted of four destroyers, four torpedo boats, eight submarines, three minelayers, one submarine tender, three gunboats and one training ship.<ref>Ian Dear, Michael Richard Daniell Foot, Oxford University Press, 1995, ''The Oxford companion to World War II'', p. 958</ref>

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Vessel
! style="text-align: left;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left;"|Type
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#f9f9f9;|Destroyers 
|-
| {{NMS|Mărăști||2}}
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}}
| [[Destroyer]]
| Built in Italy for the Romanian Navy, entered service in 1920 
|-
| {{NMS|Mărășești||2}}
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}}
| Destroyer
| Built in Italy for the Romanian Navy, entered service in 1920 
|-
| {{NMS|Regele Ferdinand||2}}
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}}
| Destroyer
| Built in Italy for the Romanian Navy, entered service in 1930
|-
| {{NMS|Regina Maria||2}}
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}}
| Destroyer
| Built in Italy for the Romanian Navy, entered service in 1930
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#f9f9f9;|Torpedo boats 
|-
| {{NMS|Sborul||2}}
| {{flagcountry|Austria-Hungary}}
| [[Torpedo boat]] 
| Built in Austria-Hungary during World War I
|-
| {{NMS|Viscolul||2}}
| {{flagcountry|United Kingdom}}
| [[Motor torpedo boat]] 
| Built in the United Kingdom, acquired in 1940 
|-
| {{NMS|Viforul||2}}
| {{flagcountry|United Kingdom}}
| [[Motor torpedo boat]] 
| Built in the United Kingdom, acquired in 1940 
|-
| {{NMS|Vijelia||2}}
| {{flagcountry|United Kingdom}}
| [[Motor torpedo boat]] 
| Built in the United Kingdom, acquired in 1940 
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#f9f9f9;|Minelayers
|-
| {{NMS|Regele Carol I||2}}
| {{flagcountry|United Kingdom}}
| Minelayer/[[Seaplane tender]]
| Built in the United Kingdom in 1898
|-
| {{NMS|Amiral Murgescu||2}}
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Romania}}
| [[Minelayer]]/Escort ship
| Built at the [[Galați shipyard]] in Romania between 1938 and 1941
|-
| {{NMS|Remus Lepri||2}}
| {{flagcountry|France}}
| Minelayer/[[Gunboat]] 
| Built in France during the second half of World War I
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#f9f9f9;|Submarine tenders
|-
| {{NMS|Constanța||2}}
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}}
| [[Submarine tender]] 
| Built in Italy for the Romanian Navy between 1927 and 1931
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#f9f9f9;|Gunboats
|-
| {{NMS|Sublocotenent Ghiculescu||2}}
| {{flagcountry|France}}
| [[Gunboat]] 
| Built in France during the second half of World War I
|-
| {{NMS|Eugen Stihi||2}}
| {{flagcountry|France}}
| [[Gunboat]] 
| Built in France during the second half of World War I
|-
| {{NMS|Căpitan Dumitrescu||2}}
| {{flagcountry|France}}
| [[Gunboat]] 
| Built in France during the second half of World War I
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#f9f9f9;|Training ships
|-
| {{NMS|Mircea||2}}
| {{flagcountry|Nazi Germany}}
| [[Training ship]] 
| Built in Germany for the Romanian Navy in 1938
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#f9f9f9;"|Submarines
|-
| {{NMS|Delfinul||2}}
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}}
| [[Submarine]]
| Built in Italy for the Romanian Navy, entered service in 1936
|-
| [[NMS Marsuinul#Sister ship|''Rechinul'']]
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Romania}} 
| Submarine
| Built at the [[Galați shipyard]] in Romania between 1938 and 1943
|-
| {{NMS|Marsuinul||2}}
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Romania}} 
| Submarine
| Built at the [[Galați shipyard]] in Romania between 1938 and 1943
|-
| ''[[CB-class midget submarine|CB-1]]''
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}} 
| [[Midget submarine]]
| Acquired in late 1943 after the [[Armistice of Cassibile|Italian surrender]]
|-
| ''[[CB-class midget submarine|CB-2]]''
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}} 
| [[Midget submarine]]
| Acquired in late 1943 after the [[Armistice of Cassibile|Italian surrender]]
|-
| ''[[CB-class midget submarine|CB-3]]''
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}} 
| [[Midget submarine]]
| Acquired in late 1943 after the [[Armistice of Cassibile|Italian surrender]]
|-
| ''[[CB-class midget submarine|CB-4]]''
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}} 
| [[Midget submarine]]
| Acquired in late 1943 after the [[Armistice of Cassibile|Italian surrender]]
|-
| ''[[CB-class midget submarine|CB-6]]''
| {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}} 
| [[Midget submarine]]
| Acquired in late 1943 after the [[Armistice of Cassibile|Italian surrender]]
|}

====List of enemy warships sunk by the Romanian Navy during World War II====
{| role="presentation" class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;"|Vessel
! style="text-align: left;"|Navy
! style="text-align: left;"|Notes
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#f9f9f9;"|[[Destroyer]]s
|-
| ''[[Soviet destroyer Moskva|Moskva]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet [[Leningrad-class destroyer|''Leningrad''-class destroyer]] was sunk on 26 June 1941 during the [[Raid on Constanța]] by Romanian mines,<ref>Robert Forczyk, ''Where the Iron Crosses Grow: The Crimea 1941–44'', p. 39</ref><ref>[[David T. Zabecki]], ''World War II in Europe: An Encyclopedia'', p. 1468</ref><ref>Richard L. DiNardo, ''Germany and the Axis Powers from Coalition to Collapse'', p. 109</ref><ref>John Jordan, Stephen Dent, ''Warship 2008'', p. 112</ref> laid by the Romanian minelayers {{NMS|Amiral Murgescu||2}}, ''Regele Carol I''  and ''Aurora''<ref name="Antony Preston p. 70">Antony Preston, ''Warship 2000–2001'', p. 70</ref>
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#f9f9f9;"|[[Submarine]]s
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine Shch-206|Shch-206]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet [[Shchuka-class submarine|''Shchuka''-class submarine]] was sunk with depth charges near [[Mangalia]] by the Romanian torpedo boat ''Năluca'' and motor torpedo boats ''Viforul'' and ''Vijelia'' on 9 July 1941<ref>Antony Preston, ''Warship 2001–2002'', p. 72</ref><ref>Cristian Crăciunoiu, ''Romanian navy torpedo boats'', p. 135</ref><ref>Donald A Bertke, Gordon Smith, Don Kindell, ''World War II Sea War, Volume 4: Germany Sends Russia to the Allies'', p. 134</ref>
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine M-58|M-58]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The [[Soviet M-class submarine]] was sunk near Constanța on 18 October 1941 by Romanian mines,<ref name="Mikhail Monakov p. 265">Mikhail Monakov, Jurgen Rohwer, ''Stalin's Ocean-going Fleet: Soviet Naval Strategy and Shipbuilding Programs 1935–1953'', p. 265</ref> laid by the Romanian minelayers ''Amiral Murgescu'', ''Regele Carol I'' and ''Aurora''<ref name="Antony Preston p. 70"/>
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine M-34|M-34]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet M-class submarine was sunk near Constanța on 30 October 1941 by Romanian mines,<ref name="Mikhail Monakov p. 265"/> laid by the Romanian minelayers ''Amiral Murgescu'', ''Regele Carol I'' and ''Aurora''<ref name="Antony Preston p. 70"/>
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine S-34|S-34]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The [[Soviet S-class submarine]] was sunk near [[Cape Emine]] on 12 November 1941 by Romanian mines,<ref name="Mikhail Monakov p. 265"/> laid by the Romanian minelayers ''Amiral Murgescu'', ''Regele Carol I'' and ''Dacia''<ref name="Donald A Bertke p. 323">Donald A Bertke, Gordon Smith, Don Kindell, ''World War II Sea War, Volume 4: Germany Sends Russia to the Allies'', p. 323</ref>  
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine Shch-211|Shch-211]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet ''Shchuka''-class submarine was sunk near [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]] on 16 November 1941 by Romanian mines,<ref name="Mikhail Monakov p. 265"/> laid by the Romanian minelayers ''Amiral Murgescu'', ''Regele Carol I'' and ''Dacia''<ref name="Donald A Bertke p. 323"/>   
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine M-59|M-59]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet M-class submarine was sunk with depth charges near [[Jibrieni]] by the Romanian destroyer ''Regele Ferdinand'' on 17 December 1941<ref>Jipa Rotaru, Ioan Damaschin, ''Glorie și dramă: Marina Regală Română, 1940–1945'', p. 67 (in Romanian)</ref><ref>Donald A Bertke, Gordon Smith, Don Kindell, ''World War II Sea War, Volume 5: Air Raid Pearl Harbor. This Is Not a Drill'', p. 63</ref><ref>Nicolae Koslinski, Raymond Stănescu, ''Marina română in al doilea război mondial: 1944–1945'', p. 361 (in Romanian)</ref>
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine Shch-210|Shch-210]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet ''Shchuka''-class submarine was sunk near [[Shabla]] on 12 or 15 March 1942 by Romanian mines,<ref name="Mikhail Monakov p. 265"/><ref>Antony Preston, ''Warship 2000–2001'', p. 76</ref> laid by the Romanian minelayers ''Amiral Murgescu'', ''Regele Carol I'' and ''Dacia''<ref name="Donald A Bertke p. 323"/>   
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine M-33|M-33]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet M-class submarine was sunk near Odessa on 24 August 1942 by Romanian mines,<ref name="Mikhail Monakov p. 266">Mikhail Monakov, Jurgen Rohwer, ''Stalin's Ocean-going Fleet: Soviet Naval Strategy and Shipbuilding Programs 1935–1953'', p. 266</ref> laid by the Romanian minelayers ''Amiral Murgescu'' and ''Dacia''<ref name="Donald A. Bertke p. 268">Donald A. Bertke, Gordon Smith, Don Kindell  ''World War II Sea War, Volume 6: The Allies Halt the Axis Advance'', p. 268</ref>
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine Shch-208|Shch-208]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet ''Shchuka''-class submarine was sunk near Constanța on 26 August 1942 by Romanian mines,<ref name="Mikhail Monakov p. 266"/> laid by the Romanian minelayers ''Amiral Murgescu'', ''Regele Carol I'' and ''Aurora''<ref name="Antony Preston p. 70"/>
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine M-60|M-60]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet M-class submarine was sunk near Odessa on 26 September 1942 by Romanian mines,<ref name="Mikhail Monakov p. 266"/> laid by the Romanian minelayers ''Amiral Murgescu'' and ''Dacia''<ref name="Donald A. Bertke p. 268"/>
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine M-118|M-118]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet M-class submarine was sunk with depth charges near [[Burnas Lagoon|Cape Burnas]] by the Romanian gunboats ''Ghiculescu'' and ''Stihi'' on 1 October 1942<ref>Antony Preston, ''Warship 2001–2002'', pp. 79–80</ref><ref>Donald A Bertke, Gordon Smith, Don Kindell, ''World War II Sea War, Volume 7: The Allies Strike Back'' p. 179</ref><ref name="Mikhail Monakov p. 266"/>
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine Shch-213|Shch-213]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet ''Shchuka''-class submarine was sunk near Constanța on 14 October 1942 by Romanian mines,<ref name = NOS>{{cite news |url=http://nos.nl/artikel/184637-duikers-ontdekken-russische-onderzeeer-wo-ii.html |title=Duikers ontdekken Russische onderzeeër WO II |trans-title=Divers discover WW II Russian submarine |agency=[[NOS Journaal]] |date=13 September 2010 |language=nl |access-date=26 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926001444/http://nos.nl/artikel/184637-duikers-ontdekken-russische-onderzeeer-wo-ii.html |archive-date=26 September 2012 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> laid by the Romanian minelayers ''Amiral Murgescu'', ''Regele Carol I'' and ''Aurora''<ref name="Antony Preston p. 70"/>
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine Shch-212|Shch-212]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet ''Shchuka''-class submarine was sunk near the island of [[Snake Island (Black Sea)|Fidonisi]] on 11 December 1942 by Romanian mines,<ref>Donald A Bertke, Gordon Smith, Don Kindell,''World War II Sea War, Vol 8: Guadalcanal Secured'', p. 77</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5043.html |title=''Shch-212'' on uboat.net |access-date=30 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619212715/http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5043.html |archive-date=19 June 2010 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>[http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?170593 ''Shch-212'' on wrecksite.eu]</ref> laid by the Romanian minelayers ''Amiral Murgescu'' and ''Dacia''<ref>Nicolae Koslinski, Raymond Stănescu, ''Marina română in al doilea război mondial: 1942–1944'', pp. 53–54 (in Romanian)</ref>
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine L-24|L-24]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet [[Leninets-class submarine|''Leninets''-class submarine]] was sunk near Shabla on 15 December 1942 by Romanian mines,<ref name="Mikhail Monakov p. 266"/><ref>Antony Preston, ''Warship 2000–2001'', p. 75</ref> laid by the Romanian minelayers ''Amiral Murgescu'', ''Regele Carol I'' and ''Dacia''<ref name="Donald A Bertke p. 323"/>
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine M-31|M-31]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet M-class submarine was either sunk by Romanian mines near Fidonisi on 17 December 1942<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4946.html |title=M-31 on uboat.net |access-date=30 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616135445/http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4946.html |archive-date=16 June 2010 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> or sunk with depth charges by the Romanian flotilla leader {{NMS|Mărășești||2}} on 7 July 1943<ref>[[M. J. Whitley]], ''Destroyers of World War Two'', p. 224</ref>
|-
| ''[[Soviet submarine L-6|L-6]]''
| {{navy|Soviet Union}}
| The Soviet ''Leninets''-class submarine was sunk with depth charges between [[Constanța]] and [[Sevastopol]] by the Romanian gunboat ''Ghiculescu'' supported by the German submarine chaser ''UJ-104'' on 18 or 21 April 1944<ref>Nicolae Koslinski, Raymond Stănescu, ''Marina română in al doilea război mondial: 1942–1944'' (in Romanian)</ref><ref>Jipa Rotaru, Ioan Damaschin, ''Glorie și dramă: Marina Regală Română, 1940–1945'' (in Romanian)</ref><ref>Nicolae Koslinski, Raymond Stănescu, ''Marina română in al doilea război mondial: 1944–1945'', p. 364 (in Romanian)</ref> 
|}

==Command, control and organisation==
[[File:Fleet Command Building in Constanta.jpg|thumb|right|The Fleet Command building in [[Constanța]]]]
[[File:Fatada ANMB cu timona.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mircea cel Bătrân Naval Academy|"Mircea cel Bătrân" Naval Academy]] in Constanța]]
[[File:Romanian 4K51 Rubezh missile launch.jpg|thumb|[[P-15 Termit|4K51 Rubezh]] anti-ship missile launching system at Capu Midia firing range]]
[[File:IAR 330 Puma Naval first flight.jpg|thumb|[[IAR 330]] Puma Naval]]
[[File:Regele Ferdinand Frigate 24.jpg|thumb|''Regele Ferdinand'' frigate is the current flagship of the Romanian Navy.]]
{{See also|List of active Romanian Navy ships}}
The Romanian Navy is organized in one Frigate Flotilla and one Riverine Flotilla. Equipment includes two [[Type 22 frigate|Type 22]] frigates, one ''[[Romanian frigate Mărăşeşti|Mărășești]]'' class frigate, four corvettes (two [[Admiral Petre Bărbuneanu-class corvette|Tetal-I]] and two [[Rear-Admiral Eustațiu Sebastian-class corvette|Tetal-II]]), three [[Tarantul class corvette|Tarantul-I]] missile corvettes, one minelayer, four minesweepers, one minehunter, three [[Mihail Kogălniceanu class river monitor|''Mihail Kogălniceanu'' class river monitors]], five [[Smârdan-class river monitor|''Smârdan'' class riverine armored patrol boats]] and other small craft and auxiliary ships.<ref name="IISS" /> The last [[Osa-class missile boat|''Osa'' class]]-based ''Epitrop'' torpedo boats were retired in November 2023.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1269544|title=Sfârșitul unei istorii - vedetele torpiloare ale Marinei Militare Române|journal=Dunărea și Marea Neagră în spațiul euroasiatic. Istorie, relații politice și diplomație|language=ro|author=Carmen Irene Atanasiu|year=2024|issue=6}}</ref>

As of 2022, ca. 6,800 men and women serve in the Romanian Navy.<ref name="IISS" /> The main base of the Romanian Navy is located at [[Constanța]]. The current chief of the Romanian Navy is Vice Admiral Mihai Panait, appointed on 15 August 2020. The Commander of the Romanian Fleet is Rear Admiral Cornel Cojocaru, and the Commander of the River Flotilla is Real Admiral Nicu Chirea.

The Romanian Naval Forces ordered three [[IAR 330|IAR 330 Puma Naval]] helicopters, with the last one being commissioned in December 2008. The helicopters are of a similar configuration to those of the [[Romanian Air Force]], including the SOCAT upgrade package; the Navy Pumas also have flotation gear fitted under the nose and main undercarriage fairings. They are currently operated from Navy frigates for [[search and rescue]], [[medevac]] and maritime surveillance missions.

===Structure of the Navy===

* '''Naval Forces General Staff''' in [[Bucharest]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/contact.php |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
** Naval Component Command<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/comunicat.php?id=610 |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
* '''Fleet Command „Viceamiral Vasile Urseanu”''', in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/flota/contact.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
** 56th Frigate Flotilla „Contraamiral Horia Macellariu” (''[[Mărăşeşti (frigate)|Mărășești]]'', ''[[Regele Ferdinand frigate|Regele Ferdinand]]'' and ''[[Regina Maria frigate|Regina Maria]]''), in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Florentina BOZÎNTAN |date=May 4, 2023 |title=Ceremonia de predare-primire a comenzii Flotilei 56 Fregate "Contraamiral Horia Macellariu" |url=https://cugetliber.ro/stiri-eveniment-ceremonia-de-predare-primire-a-comenzii-flotilei-56-fregate-contraamiral-horia-macellariu-480616 |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=cugetliber.ro}}</ref>
*** 130th Logistic Support Ship [[Divizion]] (Croitor class and Stan Tug 1606 ships), in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/flotila_56/divizion_130.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref> 
** [[Romanian Naval Aviation#Modern day|256th Naval Helicopter Group]] (IAR 330 Puma Naval helicopters), in [[Tuzla, Constanța|Tuzla]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liviu Anghel |date=2023 |title=Comandor Bogdan Curcă, comandantul Grupului 256 Elicoptere, Tuzla: Avem nevoie de mai multe elicoptere. Provocările sunt multiple la litoralul Mării Negre, misiunile noastre de supraveghere s-au intensificat. |url=http://presamil.ro/comandor-bogdan-curca-comandantul-grupului-256-elicoptere-tuzla-avem-nevoie-de-mai-multe-elicoptere-provocarile-sunt-multiple-la-litoralul-marii-negre-misiunile-noastre-de-supraveghere-s-au-i/ |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=presamil.ro}}</ref>
** 150th Missile Fast Patrol Boat [[Divizion]] ([[Tarantul class corvette|Tarantul-I]] missile boats), in [[Mangalia]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2022 |title=Moment FESTIV, la MANGALIA: 30 de ani de la înființarea Divizionului 150 Rachete Navale |url=https://www.mangalia.tv/moment-festiv-la-mangalia-30-de-ani-de-la-infiintarea-divizionului-150-rachete-navale/ |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=mangalia.tv}}</ref>
** 50th Corvette [[Divizion]], in [[Mangalia]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Florentina BOZÎNTAN |date=May 22, 2021 |title=File din istoria Divizionului 50 Corvete, păstrătorul tradiției în lupta antisubmarin |url=https://cugetliber.ro/stiri-eveniment-file-din-istoria-divizionului-50-corvete-pastratorul-traditiei-in-lupta-antisubmarin-429229 |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=cugetliber.ro}}</ref> 
***[[Admiral Petre Bărbuneanu-class corvette]]s (Tetal-I)
***[[Rear-Admiral Eustațiu Sebastian-class corvette]]s (Tetal-II)
** 146th MCM [[Divizion]] (''Musca'' class minesweepers and the ''Cosar'' minelayer), in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cezara TRUȘCĂ |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Constanța. Șapte decenii de existență pentru Divizionul 146 Nave Minare - Deminare |url=https://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/stiri/actualitate/constanta-sapte-decenii-de-existenta-pentru-divizionul-146-nave-minare-deminare-754009.html |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=ziuaconstanta.ro}}</ref>
** 508th Coastal Defence Missile [[Divizion]] ([[P-15 Termit|4K51 Rubezh]] missile), in [[Mangalia]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=S.I. Catalin |date=April 8, 2021 |title=Militarii Forțelor Navale Române s-au familiarizat cu rachetele NSM în cadrul exercițiului "Sea Shield 21" |url=https://www.defenseromania.ro/militarii-fortelor-navale-romane-s-au-familiarizat-cu-rachetele-nsm-in-cadrul-sea-shield-21_609625.html |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=defenseromania.ro}}</ref>
*** Coastal Defence Missile Section with 4 launchers<ref name="Forțele Navale Române">{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/divizion_508/compunere.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
*** 585th [[CBRN defense]] company <ref name="Forțele Navale Române"/>
* '''River Flotilla Command „Mihail Kogălniceanu”''', in [[Brăila]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/flotila_fluviala/contact.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
** 67th Gunboats [[Divizion]] „Comandor Virgil Alexandru Dragalina” ([[Mihail Kogălniceanu class river monitor|''Mihail Kogălniceanu''-class]] and [[Smârdan-class river monitor|''Smârdan''-class]])
*** River monitors Section I, in [[Brăila]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/sectia1_div67.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
*** Armored Patrol Boat Section II, in [[Brăila]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/sectia2_div67.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
** 88th River Patrol Boat [[Divizion]] „Amiral Gheorghe Sandu” (VB 76 class)
*** River Patrol Boat Section I, in [[Brăila]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/sectia1_div88.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
*** River Patrol Boat Section II, in [[Tulcea]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/sectia2_div88.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
**131st Logistic Support Ship [[Divizion]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/flotila_fluviala/div_131.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref> (Lupeni class River tugboats)
***Logistic Support Ship Section I, in [[Brăila]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/sectia1_N131.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
***Logistic Support Ship Section II, in [[Tulcea]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/sectia2_N131.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
** 307th Marine Infantry Regiment „Heracleea” in [[Babadag]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trustul de Presă al MApN |date=2023 |title=Performanță în educație |url=http://presamil.ro/performanta-in-educatie/ |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=presamil.ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/structura_bat307.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
*** Regiment Command
*** Marine Infantry Battalion
*** Combat Support Battalion
*** Logistics Company
*'''Naval Logistics Base „Pontica"''', in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/baza_logistica/contact.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/organizare.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
** Command River Ship „MUREȘ”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/baza_logistica/nave.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
** 129th Special and Logistic Support Ship [[Divizion]], in [[Mangalia]]<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 16, 2019 |title=Sărbătoare. Recent, la Mangalia, s-a sărbătorit împlinirea a 55 de ani de la înființarea Divizionului 192 Nave speciale și de sprijin logistic |url=http://presamil.ro/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/ZIAR-26.pdf |journal=Observatorul militar |volume=26 |pages=2}}</ref>
** 338th Naval Technical Maintenance Center
** 335th Logistic Support Group, in [[Mangalia]]
*** 305th Mixed Depot, in [[Mangalia]]
** 329th Logistic Section, in [[Brăila]]
*** 319th Mixed Sector, in [[Galați]]
** 330th Logistic Support Group, in [[Constanța]]
*** 340th Mixed Depot, in [[Murfatlar]]
** 325th Logistic Support Group, in [[Tulcea]]
*** 342nd Mixed Depot „Ion Jalea”, in Codru
*** 278th Mixed Sector, in [[Slava Cercheză]]
* '''Distinct Specialised Structures'''
** Diving Center, in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact – Centrul de scafandri |url=https://www.centruldescafandri.ro/contact/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |language=ro-RO}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Organizarea Centrului de scafandri – Centrul de scafandri |url=https://www.centruldescafandri.ro/organizarea-centrului-de-scafandri/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |language=ro-RO}}</ref>
*** 175th Combat Divers [[Divizion]] „Comandor Constantin Scarlat”, in [[Constanța]]
**** Combat and Incursion Divers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scafandrii de Luptă și Incursiune (SLI) – Centrul de scafandri |url=https://www.centruldescafandri.ro/scafandrii-sli/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |language=ro-RO}}</ref>
**** EOD divers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scafandrii EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) – Centrul de scafandri |url=https://www.centruldescafandri.ro/scafandrii-eod-explosive-ordnance-disposal/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |language=ro-RO}}</ref>
**** River divers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scafandrii fluviali – Centrul de scafandri |url=https://www.centruldescafandri.ro/scafandrii-fluviali/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |language=ro-RO}}</ref>
*** 176th Deep Sea Divers [[Divizion]], in [[Constanța]]
*** Underwater Research Laboratory<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laboratorul de Cercetare Pătrundere Sub Apă (C.P.S.A.) – Centrul de scafandri |url=https://www.centruldescafandri.ro/cercetare-subacvatica/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |language=ro-RO}}</ref>
*** Hyperbaric Laboratory<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laboratorul hiperbar – Centrul de scafandri |url=https://www.centruldescafandri.ro/laborator-hiperbar/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |language=ro-RO}}</ref>
*** Combat Diver Logistics Support Ship „Midia”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nava logistică pentru scafandri de luptă "Midia" – Centrul de scafandri |url=https://www.centruldescafandri.ro/nava-logistica-pentru-scafandri-de-lupta-midia/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |language=ro-RO}}</ref>
*** Diving Support Vessel „Grigore Antipa”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nava maritimă pentru scafandri "Grigore Antipa" – Centrul de scafandri |url=https://www.centruldescafandri.ro/nava-maritima-pentru-scafandri-grigore-antipa/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |language=ro-RO}}</ref>
*** Diver Support and Intervention Vessel „Grozavul”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nava Maritimă de Sprijin și Intervenție cu Scafandri "Grozavul" – Centrul de scafandri |url=https://www.centruldescafandri.ro/remorcherul-maritim-de-salvare-grozavul/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |language=ro-RO}}</ref>
*** Diving Patrol Boat „Saturn”<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Ionuț ZAGONEANU |date=August 6, 2022 |title=Ministerul Apărării Naționale bagă în reparații vedetele maritime de scafandri "Venus" și "Saturn" (DOCUMENTE) |url=https://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/informatii/combaterea-criminalitatii-in-achizitiile-publice/ministerul-apararii-nationale-baga-in-reparatii-vedetele-maritime-de-scafandri-venus-si-saturn-documente-792107.html |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=ziuaconstanta.ro}}</ref>
*** Diving Patrol Boat „Venus”<ref name=":1" />
*** [[Romanian submarine Delfinul|S-521 ''Delfinul'']] Submarine<ref name=":0" />
** 243rd Radio-Electronics and Surveillance Brigade „Callatis”, in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=MApN |date=May 30, 2022 |title=Vizita ministrului apărării naționale în Constanța |url=https://www.mapn.ro/cpresa/17456_Vizita-ministrului-apararii-nationale-in-Constanta_html |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=mapn.ro}}</ref>
** Naval Forces IT and Cyber Defence Center
** Naval Forces Training, Simulation, Evaluation and War Games Center, in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/cise/contact.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
** Maritime Hydrographic Directorate „Comandor Alexandru Cătuneanu”, in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=BUZATU |first=Andrei LUCACI, Mirela |title=DIRECȚIA HIDROGRAFICĂ MARITIMĂ |url=https://www.dhmfn.ro/ro/contact.shtml |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.dhmfn.ro |language=ro}}</ref>
*** Mine Warfare Data Center – M.W.D.C.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Universul.net |date=August 17, 2023 |title=Forţele Navale execută permanent misiuni de monitorizare în Marea Neagră. De la începutul războiului din Ucraina au fost neutralizate cinci mine marine |url=https://universul.net/fortele-navale-executa-permanent-misiuni-de-monitorizare-in-marea-neagra-de-la-inceputul-razboiului-din-ucraina-au-fost-neutralizate-cinci-mine-marine/ |access-date=November 5, 2023 |website=universul.net}}</ref>
** Naval Medical Center, in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/cmn/contact.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
** 110th Communication and Information Systems Center „Viceamiral ing. Grigore Marteş”, in Mamaia-Sat<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maria Ionescu |date=December 29, 2020 |title=Un nou comandant la Centrul 110 Comunicații și Informatică |url=https://www.ordinea.ro/un-nou-comandant-la-centrul-110-comunicatii-si-informatica/ |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=ordinea.ro}}</ref>
** Naval Forces Support Group „Ovidius”, in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agerpres |date=February 24, 2023 |title=Constanța: Ceremonie militară la 65 de ani de la înfiinţarea Grupului de Sprijin al Forţelor Navale |url=https://www.agerpres.ro/social/2023/02/24/constanta-ceremonie-militara-la-65-de-ani-de-la-infiintarea-grupului-de-sprijin-al-fortelor-navale--1065885 |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=agerpres.ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/batalion_sprijin/organizare.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
*** 301st Military Police Company<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/batalion_sprijin/istoric.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
*** Security [[Company (military unit)|Company]]
*** Support Company
**National Museum of the Romanian Navy, in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-31 |title=Contact – Muzeul Național al Marinei Române |url=https://muzeulmarinei.ro/contact/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |language=ro-RO}}</ref>
* '''Training'''
** [[Mircea cel Bătrân Naval Academy|"Mircea cel Bătrân" Naval Academy]], in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Academia Navala "Mircea cel Batran" Constanta |url=https://www.anmb.ro/ro/files/despre/informatii_utile/contact.html |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.anmb.ro}}</ref>
*** 306th Training and Military Operations Support Ship [[Divizion]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Academia Navala "Mircea cel Batran" Constanta |url=https://www.anmb.ro/ro/files/infrastructura/nave_scoala/dns/index.html |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=www.anmb.ro}}</ref>
*** [[Mircea (ship)|Training Ship ''Mircea'']]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forțele Navale Române |url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/bric/index_bric.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.navy.ro}}</ref>
*** Training Ship ''Constanța''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Academia Navala "Mircea cel Batran" Constanta |url=https://www.anmb.ro/ro/files/infrastructura/nave_scoala/ns_constanta/index.html |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=www.anmb.ro}}</ref>
** "Vice Admiral Constantin Bălescu" Naval Interarm Training School, in [[Mangalia]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=CONTACT – Școala de Instruire Interarme a Forțelor Navale |url=https://siifn.ro/contact/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |language=ro-RO}}</ref>
** "Admiral Ion Murgescu" Navy Petty Officer School, in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Școala Militară de Maiștri Militari a Forțelor Navale "Amiral Ion Murgescu" |url=https://www.smmmfn.ro/contact.php |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.smmmfn.ro}}</ref>
** National Military College „[[Alexandru Ioan Cuza]]”, in [[Constanța]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact |url=https://www.cmilaicuza.ro/contact/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |language=ro-RO}}</ref>

===Bases===

As of 2011, the naval bases are in:

* '''[[Constanța]]''' – home of the frigate flotilla.
* '''[[Mangalia]]''' – home of the corvette squadron.
* '''[[Tulcea]]''' – home of the Smârdan (Brutar-II) class river patrol monitors.
* '''[[Brăila]]''' – home of the [[Mihail Kogălniceanu class river monitor|Mihail Kogălniceanu class river patrol monitors]] and the VB 141 class small river patrol boats.

===Naval infantry===
[[File:Exercitiu de debarcare a infanteristilor marini pe plaja de la Vadu.jpg|thumb|right|Soldiers from the 307th Marine Infantry Regiment disembark from a Dutch landing ship at Vadu beach during a military exercise]]

The 307th Marine Infantry Regiment ({{lang|ro|Regimentul 307 Infanterie Marină}}) is the coastal defence unit of the [[Romanian Navy]].<ref>Zaloga, p. 53</ref> The unit was formed in the mid-1970s for the defence of the [[Danube Delta]] and Romanian [[Black Sea]] shore. It was initially located at [[2 Mai]] village near [[Mangalia]], but since 1975 the Marine Battalion was moved to [[Babadag]], [[Tulcea County]]. "The 307th Marine Infantry Regiment is destined to carry out military operations in an amphibious river and lagoon environment, the security of objectives in the coastal area, the Danube Delta and the support of local authorities in case of a civil emergency."{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} Its [[Military base|base]] is near Babadag military training range and is subordinated to the Riverine Flotilla.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/istoric_bat307.php|title=Regimentul 307 Infanterie Marină "Heracleea" {{!}} Scurt istoric|language=ro|website=navy.ro}}</ref>

The battalion is organized into infantry, reconnaissance, sniper, mortars, anti-tank artillery, engineers, communications, logistic and naval support units. Standard equipment includes [[Puşcă Automată model 1986|PA md. 86]] [[assault rifle]]s, [[RPK|PM md. 64]] [[light machine gun]]s, [[PK machine gun|Md. 66]] [[machine gun]]s, 60/82/120&nbsp;mm [[mortar (weapon)|mortars]], [[RPG-7|AG-7]] and [[SPG-9|AG-9]] launchers, 76&nbsp;mm Md. 82 [[Mountain gun|mountain howitzers]], 11 [[ABC-79M]] and 3 TABC-79M [[armoured personnel carriers]].<ref name="IISS" /> The 307th Marine Infantry Regiment was involved in military exercises with similar troops from United States, the [[Netherlands]], Spain, [[Portugal]], Italy and [[Ukraine]] that were organized locally or abroad. Also, two companies from this unit have participated in the [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]] mission "Joint Enterprise" in 2008–09.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

Since June 1, 2018, the 307th Marine Battalion has been redesignated as 307th Marine Infantry Regiment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/istoric_bat307.php|language=ro|work=Romanian Naval Forces|title=Scurt Istoric}}</ref>

==Equipment==

===Sea Fleet===
For the river fleet and auxiliary vessels see [[List of equipment of the Romanian Armed Forces#Naval Forces|List of active Romanian Navy ships]]. 
{| border="1" class="wikitable"
!Name!!Type!!Class!!Origin!!Details
|-
! colspan="5"| Submarine
|-
|[[Romanian submarine Delfinul|S-521 ''Delfinul'']]
|Conventional Submarine
|[[Kilo class submarine|Kilo]]
|{{USSR}}
|Not operational; used for dockside training<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2018/02/09/romania-to-buy-3-sub-4-ships-to-bolster-black-sea-ops/|title=Romania to buy 3 sub, 4 ships to bolster Black Sea ops|date=9 February 2018}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="5"| Frigates
|-
|[[Romanian frigate Mărășești|F-111 ''Mărășești'']]
|Multipurpose Frigate 
|[[Romanian frigate Mărășești|Mărășești]]
|{{ROM}}
|
|-
|[[Romanian frigate Regele Ferdinand (F221)|F-221 Regele Ferdinand]]
|Multipurpose Frigate 
|[[Type 22 frigate|Type 22]]
|{{UK}}
| Ex-HMS Coventry
|-
|[[Romanian frigate Regina Maria (F222)|F-222 Regina Maria]]
|Multipurpose Frigate 
|[[Type 22 frigate|Type 22]]
|{{UK}}
| Ex-HMS London
|-
! colspan="5"| Corvettes 
|-
|Cvt 263 ''Vice-Amiral Eugeniu Roșca''
|Multipurpose corvette
|[[Admiral Petre Bărbuneanu class corvette|Tetal-I]]
|{{ROM}}
|
|-
|Cvt 260 ''Amiral Petre Bărbuneanu''
|Multipurpose corvette
|[[Admiral Petre Bărbuneanu class corvette|Tetal-I]]
|{{ROM}}
|
|-
|Cvt 264 ''Contraamiral Eustațiu Sebastian ''
|Multipurpose corvette
|[[Rear-Admiral Eustațiu Sebastian class corvette|Tetal-II]]
|{{ROM}}
|
|-
|Cvt 265 ''Contraamiral Horia Macellariu''
|Multipurpose corvette
|[[Rear-Admiral Eustațiu Sebastian class corvette|Tetal-II]]
|{{ROM}}
|
|-
! colspan="5"| Missile corvette
|-
|NPR 188 ''Zborul ''
|Missile corvette
|[[Tarantul class]]
|{{USSR}}
|
|-
|NPR 189 ''Pescărușul ''
|Missile corvette
|[[Tarantul class]]
|{{USSR}}
|
|-
|NPR 190 ''Lăstunul''
|Missile corvette
|[[Tarantul class]]
|{{USSR}}
|
|-
! colspan="5"| Mine Warfare
|-
|DM-24 ''Lt. Remus Lepri ''
|Minesweeper
|Musca
|{{ROM}}
|Transferred to the Naval Forces Training School in Mangalia on 1 June 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navy.ro/despre/organizare/divizion_146/istoric.php|title=Scurt istoric al Divizionului 146 Nave Minare - Deminare|language=ro|website=navy.ro|access-date=31 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
|DM-25 ''Lt. Lupu Dinescu ''
|Minesweeper
|Musca
|{{ROM}}
|
|-
|[[Romanian minesweeper Locotenent Dimitrie Nicolescu|DM-29 ''Lt. Dimitrie Nicolescu'']]
|Minesweeper
|Musca
|{{ROM}}
|8 September 2022 contacted floating rogue mine some 20 N.M. north east of [[Constanța]], in the [[Black Sea]], and suffered mine explosion hit in the aft area, resulting in a small-sized hull breach. Navy ship ''Grozavul'' was sent to tow minesweeper to Constanța.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2022/39457/romanian-navy-minesweeper-damaged-rogue-mine-taken/ |title=Romanian Navy Minesweeper damaged by rogue mine, taken on tow, Black sea |publisher=Fleetmon |access-date=9 September 2022 }}</ref>
|-
|DM-30 ''Slt. Alexandru Axente''
|Minesweeper
|Musca
|{{ROM}}
|
|-
|[[Romanian minehunter Sublocotenent Ion Ghiculescu|M270 ''Sublocotenent Ion Ghiculescu'']]
|Minehunter
|[[Sandown-class minehunter|Sandown class]]
|{{UK}}
| Ex-HMS Blyth
|-
|[[Romanian minelayer Viceamiral Constantin Bălescu|PM-274 ''Viceamiral Constantin Bălescu'']]
|Minelayer
|Cosar
|{{ROM}}
|
|}

===Naval Aviation===
{{see also|Romanian Naval Aviation}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! style="text-align:center; width:7%;"|Model
! style="text-align:center;"|Origin
! style="text-align:center;"|Type
! style="text-align:center;"|Variant
! style="text-align:center;"|Numbers
! style="text-align:center; width:45%;"|Details
|-
|[[IAR 330]] || {{ROM}} || [[Maritime helicopter]]|| Puma Naval 
! 3<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/actualitate/proiecte-locale/trei-elicoptere-puma-socat-pentru-fregatele-marinei-militare--43374 |title=Trei elicoptere Puma Socat pentru fregatele Marinei Militare|date=15 December 2005|access-date=28 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203183214/http://www.romanialibera.ro/actualitate/proiecte-locale/trei-elicoptere-puma-socat-pentru-fregatele-marinei-militare--43374 |archive-date=3 February 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> 
| Include the SOCAT upgrade package; the Navy Pumas also have flotation gear fitted under the nose and main undercarriage fairings. Currently operated from Navy frigates for search and rescue, medevac, maritime surveillance missions and [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nineoclock.ro/iar-ghimbav-successfully-completes-puma-naval-programmeiar-330-puma-naval-helicopter-among-worlds-top-10-asw-helicopters/ |title=IAR Ghimbav successfully completes PUMA Naval programme:IAR 330 Puma Naval helicopter, among world's top 10 ASW helicopters |date=27 October 2015 |access-date=28 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204103641/http://www.nineoclock.ro/iar-ghimbav-successfully-completes-puma-naval-programmeiar-330-puma-naval-helicopter-among-worlds-top-10-asw-helicopters/ |archive-date=4 February 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iar.ro/naval.html|title=PUMA for Romanian Navy ASW and ASuW missions|access-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120153839/http://iar.ro/naval.html|archive-date=20 January 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|-
|[[Eurocopter AS532 Cougar|H215M]]
|{{FRA}}
{{ROM}}
|[[Maritime helicopter]]
|Cougar Naval
!'''2''' (on order)<ref>{{cite web |title=Cu fabrică Airbus în țară, România dă 165 mil. euro pe două elicoptere antinavă care vor fi fabricate însă în Franța / Rachete-surpriză și alte detalii neștiute până acum din program|url=https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-defense-26950394-fabrica-airbus-tara-romania-165-mil-euro-doua-elicoptere-antinava-care-vor-fabricate-insa-franta-rachete-surpriza-alte-detalii-nestiute-pana-acum-din-program.htm|language=ro|work=[[HotNews]]|date=6 March 2024}}</ref>
|The naval version of the H215M is powered by two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines. This version is mainly used for [[Anti-surface warfare|Anti-surface unit warfare]] (ASUW), fitted with [[Sea Killer / Marte|Marte-ER]] missiles; [[Anti-submarine warfare]] (ASW), fitted with a variable-depth sonar and torpedoes; Search and rescue; and Sea patrols. For deck landing, securing at high sea states, maneuver and traverse this variant can be fitted with ASIST.
|-
|[[Shield AI MQ-35A V-BAT|MQ-35A V-BAT]]
|{{USA}}
|[[Unmanned aerial vehicle]]
|
!'''4''' (to be delivered)
| The first four V-BAT drones will be received as donation by the United States. The system is expected to be delivered by the end of 2025. A second phase will follow, in which the Romanian Naval Forces will purchase two additional V-BAT systems (eight drones).<ref>{{cite web |title=România se înarmează cu un nou tip de drone la Marea Neagră. Primul sistem vine anul acesta / Modelul a fost folosit deja în Ucraina|url=https://hotnews.ro/romania-se-inarmeaza-cu-un-nou-tip-de-drone-la-marea-neagra-primul-sistem-vine-anul-acesta-modelul-a-fost-folosit-deja-in-ucraina-1909775|language=ro|work=[[HotNews]]|date=25 February 2025}}</ref>
|}

===Future equipment===
The Romanian government plans to acquire new vessels to modernize the Romanian Naval Forces.<ref>{{citation|title =Romania to buy 3 sub, 4 ships to bolster Black Sea ops|url =https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2018/02/09/romania-to-buy-3-sub-4-ships-to-bolster-black-sea-ops/|publisher = DefenseNews|date = 10 February 2018|access-date = 10 February 2018}}</ref> This plan includes:
*Buying 4 new ships for the navy. Previously these were to be based on the [[Sigma-class design|Sigma 10514 design]] of [[Damen Group]]. The frigates were to be built locally ([[Damen Group|Damen]] owns two major shipyards in [[Romania]]) and the total deal was estimated to be worth 1.6 billion euros (equivalent to U.S. $1.96 billion). However, the decision to go with [[Damen Group]] was repealed in 2017.<ref>{{citation|title = PM Grindeanu: Thursday we'll repeal Ciolos Government's decision on corvettes|url = http://www.nineoclock.ro/pm-grindeanu-thursday-well-repeal-ciolos-governments-decision-on-corvettes/|publisher = Nine o'clock|date = 15 March 2017|access-date = 10 February 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180211071612/http://www.nineoclock.ro/pm-grindeanu-thursday-well-repeal-ciolos-governments-decision-on-corvettes/|archive-date = 11 February 2018|url-status = live|df = dmy-all}}</ref>
*{{As of|2018}}, acquiring 3 new submarines, which would also be built locally at a Romanian shipyard.<ref>{{citation|title = Romania's new defence minister outlines plans for locally built submarines|url = http://www.janes.com/article/77709/romania-s-new-defence-minister-outlines-plans-for-locally-built-submarines?from_rss=1|publisher = Jane's 360|date = 7 February 2018|access-date = 10 February 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180210235501/http://www.janes.com/article/77709/romania-s-new-defence-minister-outlines-plans-for-locally-built-submarines?from_rss=1|archive-date = 10 February 2018|url-status = dead|df = dmy-all}}</ref> In 2022, Romania signed a letter of intent with France to purchase {{sclass|Scorpène|submarine|1}}s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vasile Dîncu: Am semnat o scrisoare de intenție pentru achiziţionarea de submarine franceze Scorpene |url=https://www.defenseromania.ro/dincu_617246.html |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=DefenseRomania |language=ro}}</ref>
*In July 2019, [[Naval Group]] won a €1.2 billion contract, which includes the construction of four new [[Gowind-class design|Gowind]] multi-mission [[corvette]]s for the Romanian Navy, as well as a new maintenance center and a training center. Naval Group was due to build the first corvette within three years, while the remaining three corvettes would have been constructed by [[Constanța Shipyard]] and delivered before 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=Naval Group awarded €1.2 billion contract for 4 Romania navy corvettes |url=https://thedefensepost.com/2019/07/03/naval-group-romania-navy-corvette-contract/ |date=3 July 2019 |access-date=13 August 2020 |work=The Defense Post}}</ref> However, this deal had not been concluded and was cancelled {{as of|2023|7|lc=yes}}.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-02-03 |title=France hopes to seal Romania 1.2 bln euro warship deal quickly |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-hopes-seal-romania-12-bln-euro-warship-deal-quickly-2022-02-03/ |access-date=2023-03-14}}</ref>

==Ranks and insignia==
{{main article|Romanian Armed Forces ranks and insignia}}

===Commissioned officer ranks===
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/Romania}}
|}

===Other ranks===
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/Romania}}
|}

==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist|2}}

;References
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book
  | last = Axworthy
  | first = Mark |author2=Scafeș, Cornel |author3=Crăciunoiu, Cristian
  | title = Third Axis. Fourth Ally. Romanian Armed Forces in the European War, 1941–1945
  | publisher = Arms and Armour
  | year = 1995
  | location  = London
  | isbn = 1-85409-267-7
}}
*{{cite book
  | last = Gardiner
  | first = Robert
  | title = Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905 (Conway's naval history after 1850)
  | publisher = Conway Maritime Press Ltd
  | year = 1997
  | isbn = 978-0-85177-133-5
}}
*{{cite book
  | last = Gardiner
  | first = Robert
  | title = Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921 (Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships Vol. 2)
  | publisher = CUS Naval Institute Press
  | year = 1985
  | isbn = 978-0-87021-907-8
}}
*{{cite book
  | last = Gardiner
  | first = Robert
  | title = Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946
  | publisher = US Naval Institute Press
  | year = 1980
  | isbn = 978-0-87021-913-9
}}
*{{cite book
  | last = Halpern
  | first = Paul G.
  | title = A naval history of World War I
  | publisher = Routledge
  | year = 1995
  | isbn = 978-1-85728-498-0
}}
*{{cite book
  | last = Zaloga
  | first = Steven
  | title = Soviet Bloc Elite Forces
  | publisher = Osprey Publishing
  | year = 1985
  | isbn = 978-0-85045-631-8
}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Navy of Romania}}
*[http://www.navy.ro/ Official site of the Romanian Naval Forces (Romanian)]

{{Black Sea Naval Co-operation Task Group}}
{{Romanian military}}
{{Romanian Naval Forces}}
{{Navies in Europe}}
{{Allied Maritime Command}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Military of Romania]]
[[Category:Romanian Naval Forces| ]]
[[Category:1860 establishments in Romania]]