The Royal Air Force (RAF), the United Kingdom’s aerial warfare force, has announced that Typhoon fighter jets from Lossiemouth were scrambled to intercept two Russian Long Range Blackjack bombers and escort them whilst in the UK area of interest.
According to the source, the two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack long-range bombers were intercepted by RAF Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth comprised RF-94100 ‘Red 10’ named ‘Nikolay Kuznetsov’, and RF-94111 ‘Red 18’ named ‘Andrey Tupolev’ on 20 September.
The Russian Tu-160 Blackjacks long-range bombers were not talking to air traffic control, making them a hazard to all other aviation.
“Russian bombers probing UK airspace is another reminder of the very serious military challenge that Russia poses us today,” UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said.
Also, Gavin Williamson noted that: the UK will not hesitate to continually defend the country’s skies from acts of aggression.
“Once again the rapid reactions of our RAF have demonstrated how vital our Armed Forces are in protecting Britain.,” added Gavin Williamson.
The RAF worked closely with NATO partners to monitor the jets as they passed through a variety of international airspace before they were intercepted by the RAF over the North Sea. Subsequently, our fighters escorted the Russian Blackjacks north, out of the UK’s area of interest. At no time did the Russian bombers enter UK sovereign airspace.
RAF QRA was launched today because the Russian Military aircraft were not talking to air traffic agencies. The RAF routinely intercept, identify and escort Russian aircraft that transit international airspace within the UK’s area of interest and continue to be on call; 24/7, 365.
