Moment RAF Typhoons intercept Russian spy plane

2023-05-03

Moment RAF Typhoons intercept Russian spy plane after British fighters are scrambled to shadow aircraft amid simmering tensions

The aircraft flew in international airspace and at no point entered UK airspace

Pictures show the moment Royal Air Force Typhoon jets intercepted a Russian spy plane operating near to UK airspace.

The Russian aircraft was identified as a Tu-142 – also known as a Bear-F – and was detected flying over the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic Ocean north of Scotland on Sunday.

The aircraft flew in international airspace and at no point entered UK airspace, the RAF said.

However in reaction to the aircraft’s close proximity, jets were scrambled from Royal Air Force Lossiemouth.

Norwegian F-35A fighter jets were also launched to monitor the Russian threat as part of NATO’s response.

Pictures show the moment Royal Air Force Typhoon jets intercepted a Russian spy plane operating near to UK airspace

The Russian aircraft was identified as a Tu-142 – also known as a Bear-F – and was detected flying over the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic Ocean

The Typhoons shadowed the Russian aircraft closely while keeping an eye on their movements.

An RAF spokesperson said air to air refuelling support was provided by RAF Brize Norton, and RAF High Wycombe. RAF Boulmer also assisted with the operation.

Bear planes are used in anti-submarine and maritime patrol missions.

An RAF Typhoon pilot said the scramble ‘demonstrated the close working relationships we have with our NATO colleagues.’

They continued: ‘After scrambling to intercept the Russian aircraft, we were in close contact with RAF Battlespace Managers, who directed us towards the aircraft and relayed orders throughout.

‘Ensuring we could confirm where they were and what they were doing at all times.’

QRA procedures involve the RAF holding aircraft and crews at continuous high readiness to take off within minutes and intercept any unidentified aircraft flying in the UK’s area of interest to protect UK sovereign airspace if required.

It comes after British and German air force warplanes were scrambled to intercept two Russian jets and a spy plane last week, after they were close to encroaching on NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea.

Germany and Britain sent Eurofighter jets to identify the two Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft and one Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft (pictured)

British and German warplanes intercepted two Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft (pictured)

On April 25, The UK and Germany sent Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Amari Air Base in Estonia to identify the two Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft escorting an Ilyushin Il-20 Coot-A intelligence plane, the RAF said.

The Russian jets and spy plane were flying over the Baltic Sea close to Estonian airspace when they were intercepted yesterday in the latest tense encounter in the skies between Moscow and the West.

‘RAF and German Air Force Typhoon fighters scrambled together from Ämari Air Base in Estonia yesterday against unidentified aircraft over the Baltic Sea close to Estonian airspace,’ a RAF spokesperson told MailOnline.

‘The aircraft, operating as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing (BAP) Mission intercepted a Russian military IL-20 jet that was being escorted by two Sukhoi Su-27 Flankers.’

The Ilyushin Il-20 Coot-A intelligence planes are designed to soak up enemy communications and signals for analysis.

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