RAF Typhoon fighter jets scramble to intercept two Russian planes north of Scotland for the third time in six days
- Incident is the third time in a week Russian aircraft have been in UK airspace
- RAF jets scrambled yet again to intercept Russian bombers above the Shetlands
- A spokesman for the RAF confirmed RAF shadowed the Russian aircraft
For the third time in a week, RAF Typhoons were scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft encroaching on UK airspace.
Two jets were launched from RAF Lossiemouth just after 9am. The activity was first noted by Twitter account @MIL_Radar.
A Voyager tanker plane was also launched from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, in case the Typhoons needed to refuel.
Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston said: ‘These Russian bombers do not comply with international air traffic rules, are a hazard to airliners and are not welcome in our airspace.’
The Russian plane was seen flying over the Outer Hebrides before being maneuvered away
An RAF fighter pilot who intercepted a Russian Tu-142 Bear maritime patrol aircraft yesterday said it was necessary to shadow the bomber as it was endangering civilian aircraft
An unnamed RAF quick reaction alert pilot from RAF Lossiemouth, who intercepted the Russian Bears yesterday, said: ‘The UK has some of the busiest airspace in the world and civilian airliners are constantly using the airways in this area, so our presence ensured UK air traffic controllers could continue to manage this busy airspace around the hazard of the Russian activity.’
This comes after six RAF fighter jets were scrambled to intercept Russian bombers on Saturday after they tried to enter British airspace.
Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth raced to intercept the Russian aircraft as it approached UK airspace
Today’s interception is the latest in a long list of times RAF jets were forced monitor Russian aircraft patrolling the edge of UK airspace
The RAF deployed two pairs of Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth near Moray and a third pair from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Saturday (pictured, Russian Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft intercepted by Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby)
Flight tacking data shows an RAF Voyage tanker plane heading north yesterday
THE RAF’S TYPHOON
The Typhoon FGR4 provides the RAF with a highly capable and extremely agile multi-role combat aircraft, capable of being deployed in the full spectrum of air operations, including air policing, peace support and high intensity conflict.
Engines: 2 Eurojet EJ200 turbojets
Thrust: 20,000lbs each
Max speed: 1.8Mach
Length: 15.96m
Max altitude: 55,000ft
Span: 11.09m
Aircrew: 1
Armament: Paveway IV, AMRAAM, ASRAAM, Mauser 27mm Cannon, Enhanced Paveway II
Yesterday, an undisclosed number of Tupolev Tu-95 Bears, Russian aircraft used as strategic bombers and maritime patrol planes, headed towards northwest Scotland.
The RAF deployed two pairs of Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth near Moray and a third pair from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to force them to change course.
A Voyager tanker was also deployed from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
Last April, Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth were scrambled twice in five days to prevent Russian military planes entering UK airspace.
In the same period, jets from RAF Coningsby were also deployed to a separate incident involving Russian aircraft.
All these incidents come amid heightened tensions between London and Moscow, after Russian GRU agents used chemical weapons in Salisbury in 2018.
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An undisclosed number of Tupolev Tu-95 Bears, Russian aircraft used as strategic bombers and maritime patrol planes, headed towards northwest Scotland (pictured, Russian Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft intercepted by Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby)
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