RAF Typhoon jets intercepted Russian bombers flying north of Scotland within the early hours of this morning, the UK authorities has stated.
Typhoon fighters have been scrambled to intercept two Russian long-range maritime patrol bombers as they transited close to the Shetland Islands inside NATO’s northern air policing space, the federal government added.
The UK fast response alert (QRA) jets have been launched from RAF Lossiemouth, positioned in north-east Scotland, and the 2 Russian bombers have been monitored in worldwide airspace as they flew north of the UK.
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A Voyager refuelling tanker was additionally launched and remained airborne throughout the mission – not specified by the Ministry of Defence – to supply air-to-air refuelling to the Typhoon fighters if wanted.
Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, stated: “RAF crews at Lossiemouth maintain a constant watch over UK airspace and are always ready to take action at a moment’s notice to keep our country safe.
“Pilots launched of their Typhoon jets to intercept two Russian long-range bombers this morning, monitoring them as they handed north of the Shetland Islands, able to counter any potential menace to UK territory.”
The lead RAF Typhoon pilot, who was not named by the MOD, added: “It’s really satisfying to know we’ve been able to make a successful intercept, maintaining the integrity of UK and NATO airspace.
“When the alarm for a scramble occurred within the early hours of the morning, the adrenaline kicked in. Working in tandem with floor management operators, and with air-to-air refuelling from an RAF Voyager, we have been capable of keep on job till the mission was full, and the goal plane departed the UK’s space of curiosity.”
When Russian jets enter airspace managed by the UK, they’ll typically be a hazard to different plane as a result of they don’t speak to air visitors management, and nor do they “squawk” with their code to let different air customers know they’re there.
This is just not the primary time RAF fast response aircrafts have intercepted Russian jets close to UK airspace – a Russian spy airplane was intercepted north of Scotland in May earlier this 12 months, though such interceptions have occurred for a few years.
Similarly, Moscow claimed in June that it needed to scramble its personal jets after three British warplanes have been detected close to the nation’s border – however the Ministry of Defence later described it as “a routine operation in international airspace”.
Source: information.sky.com”