Moment RAF Typhoons intercept Russian spy plane after British fighters scramble for shadow planes amid simmering tensions
- The aircraft was flying in international airspace and did not enter UK airspace at any time
Last weekend, RAF fighter jets were deployed to intercept a Russian spy plane near British airspace.
The Tu-142 anti-submarine aircraft, also known as a Bear-F, was discovered on Sunday over the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic Ocean north of Scotland.
Fighter jets were deployed from RAF Lossiemouth to shadow the aircraft and Norwegian F-35A fighter jets were also launched to track it as part of a NATO response.
The aircraft did not enter British airspace, the RAF said. It comes as tensions between Russia and the West continue to simmer following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Photos show the moment when Royal Air Force Typhoon jets intercepted a Russian spy plane operating near British 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
The Typhoons followed the Russian planes closely while monitoring their movements.
An RAF spokesman said aerial refueling support was provided by RAF Brize Norton and RAF High Wycombe. RAF Boulmer also assisted in the operation. Bear aircraft are used in anti-submarine and maritime patrol missions.
An RAF Typhoon pilot said the operation “demonstrated the close working relationship we have with our NATO colleagues”.
They added: ‘After we made efforts to intercept the Russian aircraft, we were in close contact with RAF Battlespace Managers, who guided us to the aircraft and gave orders throughout. So we could always see where they were and what they were doing.’
Quick Reaction Alert procedures involve the RAF keeping aircraft and crews on constant high readiness to take off within minutes and intercept unidentified aircraft flying in the UK’s area of interest to protect the UK’s sovereign airspace, If necessary.
British and German warplanes attempted to intercept two Russian jets and a spy plane last week after they were about to enter NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea.
Germany and Britain sent Eurofighter jets to identify the two Sukhoi Su-27 fighters and one Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft (pictured)
British and German fighters intercepted two Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighters (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 fighters escorting an Ilyushin Il-20 Coot-A intelligence aircraft, the RAF said.
The Russian fighter jets and spy plane were flying over the Baltic Sea, close to Estonian airspace, when they were intercepted.
“RAF and Typhoon fighters of the German Air Force scrambled together from Ämari Air Base in Estonia against unidentified aircraft over the Baltic Sea close to Estonian airspace yesterday,” an RAF spokesman told MailOnline.
“The aircraft, which was operating as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission, intercepted a Russian military IL-20 jet escorted by two Sukhoi Su-27 Flankers.”
The Ilyushin Il-20 Coot-A intelligence aircraft are designed to intercept enemy communications and signals for analysis.