EU patrol vessels adopt Galileo OSNMA for secure positioning

Romania will require Galileo-based authenticated positioning in new patrol vessels after a Black Sea pilot, leveraging EUSPA-delivered OSNMA to counter GNSS interference risks.

Romania has launched a new procurement procedure for the acquisition of modern coastal patrol vessels that will be equipped with navigation systems enabled with Galileo and its navigation message authentication service, the European Union's global satellite navigation system. The decision marks one of the first times an EU Member State has embedded Galileo-enabled secure positioning capabilities directly into a national border security procurement, reflecting a growing shift toward resilient, verifiable navigation in operational maritime environments.

The procurement follows a successful pilot of the Galileo-enabled Asset Tracking Demonstrator in the Black Sea, where secure positioning capabilities were tested in real operational conditions aboard Romanian patrol vessels. The pilot was a joint effort between Frontex, EUSPA and the Romanian Border Police, with technical support by the Joint Research Centre from the European Commission. The initiative demonstrated how EU satellite navigation services can strengthen maritime security operations by improving availability and trust in positioning data and enabling real-time detection of interference such as spoofing and jamming.

At the centre of this evolution is Galileo's Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA), a key service delivered by EUSPA. OSNMA allows users to verify the authenticity of Galileo navigation message, ensuring that positioning data has not been manipulated. OSNMA is designed to enhance resilience against spoofing, and this capability is increasingly relevant in operational environments where reliance on GNSS signals alone is no longer sufficient.

During the pilot phase, EUSPA developed receivers equipped with OSNMA functionality were installed on Romanian patrol vessels operating in the Black Sea. The system provided positioning information based on authenticated data and generated alerts in case of potential interference events, improving situational awareness and operational safety. The test demonstrated that secure satellite navigation can be integrated effectively into maritime border operations, supporting both routine patrols and mission-critical activities.

"The pilot showed that secure satellite tracking works in real operational conditions, not just on paper. Once end-users see the technology perform in the field, procurement decisions tend to follow" confirmed Darek Saunders, Head of Research and Innovation Unit at Frontex.

The results of the pilot have directly impacted Romania's decision to include Galileo-based authenticated positioning in its upcoming patrol vessel procurement. The move positions Romania at the forefront in the use of advanced navigation capabilities embedding GNSS authentication into border security infrastructure requirements.

A Romanian Border Police representative underlined the operational importance of this shift: "We operate in an environment where satellite signal interference is increasingly common. The pilot gave us confidence in verified positioning as a baseline capability for our future patrol vessels. It is a practical enhancement that improves both operational effectiveness and the safety of our officers."

The pilot also contributed to broader European efforts to operationalise space-based services for security applications. The Asset Tracking Demonstrator forms part of ongoing collaboration between the European Commission, EUSPA and Frontex to ensure that Galileo services are effectively integrated into frontline operations.

This development in Romania illustrates how Galileo protected services are increasingly shaping procurement standards for critical maritime surveillance assets.

"This procurement demonstrates the growing operational value of Galileo services, particularly OSNMA, which is powering trusted positioning in demanding and contested environments. We are seeing EU space capabilities move decisively from demonstration to operational deployment, directly supporting Member States' security needs", confirmed Fiammetta Diani, EUSPA Head of Market Downstream and Innovation Department.

As additional pilots and deployments are planned across Europe, the Black Sea experience is expected to serve as a reference for future integration of authenticated satellite navigation into maritime and border surveillance systems, in the Union and worldwide. The inclusion of Galileo OSNMA in national procurement marks a significant step in reinforcing resilience against GNSS interference and strengthening the operational reliability of European security assets.

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