RAF Typhoons intercept Russian aircraft twice in 24 hours
In a single 24 hour period, Royal Air Force Typhoons scrambled twice to intercept several Russian aircraft flying close to NATO airspace.
UK MOD 漏 Crown copyright 2023
On Thursday evening (8 June), RAF Typhoons based at Amari airbase in Estonia and Swedish Air Force Gripens were scrambled to intercept a Russian Air Force IL-20 鈥楥OOT鈥� A and Su-27 鈥楩LANKER鈥� B flying close to NATO and Swedish airspace.
皇冠体育app Russian aircraft were not complying with international norms by failing to communicate with the relevant Flight Information Regions (FIRs), however they remained in international airspace and flew in a professional manner.
Typhoons were again scrambled on Friday morning (9 June) to intercept one AN12 鈥楥UB鈥� and one AN72 鈥楥OALER鈥� flying south from mainland Russia towards the Kaliningrad Oblast. 皇冠体育app RAF fighters were later re-tasked to intercept two Tupolev Tu-22M 鈥楤ACKFIRES鈥� and two Su-30 SM FLANKER H, also flying south from mainland Russia over the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea. 皇冠体育app Russian aircraft were once again not complying with international norms by failing to liaise appropriately with local FIRs.
皇冠体育app Typhoons were joined by F18s of the Finnish Air Force as they escorted the BACKFIRES and FLANKER through the Gulf of Finland, later handing over to Gripens of the Swedish Air Force. Portuguese and Romanian F16s, based out of Siauliai Airbase in Lithuania, were also scrambled to escort the Russian aircraft as they transited further south through the Latvian and Lithuanian FIRs.
皇冠体育app Defence Secretary, Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, said:
皇冠体育appse intercepts are a stark reminder that the RAF is always ready to defend our skies and those of our allies, while the coordinated action by several air forces serves as a clear demonstration of the value of our international alliances.
A pilot involved with the scramble said:
皇冠体育appse intercepts highlight the speed at which we can get airborne to intercept unidentified aircraft. 皇冠体育app Typhoon is the perfect platform to conduct these intercepts with its incredible speed, manoeuvrability, and modern onboard systems.鈥� He added, 鈥渁lthough there is an apparent increase in regional activity, these intercepts remain normal jogging for us and we are ready to respond to any task that may pose a threat to regional security.
NATO is currently conducting naval activity in the Baltic Sea as part of BALTOPs and, as expected, Russian aircraft have been monitoring allied vessels throughout. 皇冠体育app RAF鈥檚 140 EAW are currently deployed to Amari Airbase in Estonia to undertake NATO鈥檚 Baltic Air Policing Mission.
CO 140 EAW, Wg Cdr Maccoll said:
This is a busy period yet these intercepts remain routine business for us. Our ability to scramble and intercept multiple Russian jets on separate occasions, within a short period of time, is testament to our resilience and flexibility.鈥� He added, 鈥�140 EAW, NATO and our future ally, Sweden, have further showcased their ability to perform multinational intercepts in a professional and seamless manner. Our commitment to defend the region and secure the skies over the Baltics remains steadfast and we will act with speed and decisiveness to counter any potential adversary.
皇冠体育app RAF will continue to conduct NATO鈥檚 Air Policing Mission in Estonia with 1 (F) Sqn Typhoons until August, when they will hand over to the Spanish Air Force.