The Russian aircraft involved were An-12BK (RF-95684/24 bl) and Border Guard An-72P (RF-72019).
On May 27, 2019 a Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet multi-role fighter on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) was scrambled to intercept two nice looking Russian aircraft.
Both aircraft were flying in international airspace over the Gulf of Finland.
The airspace of Finland was not violated.
The Russian aircraft involved were An-12BK (RF-95684/24 bl) and Border Guard An-72P (RF-72019).
According to Scramble Facebook News Magazine, this particular An-12 is a really old one. The aircraft was first reported with an ‘in service date’ of January 1971. It started its career as an An-12PPS, but was converted to a standard An-12BK transport aircraft in 1990.
The An-72 has a green/dark brown/medium brown camo colourscheme with light grey underside. A real beauty to be photographed.
The Finnish Air Force’s main combat fleet consists of Boeing F/A-18C and F/A-18D Hornet multi role fighters.
Most of Finland’s Hornet fleet is divided between Lapland Air Command (Fighter Squadron 11) and Karelia Air Command (Fighter Squadron 31) to form the backbone of the Air Force’s combat capability. Carrying the military designation HN, they are flown on peacetime training and air policing missions. In a time of crisis, the Hornets are set to execute defensive counterair operations to protect the nation’s vital assets, civilian population, and operations conducted by all services against air attacks. The aircraft will also be tasked to support joint operations with long-range standoff weapons.
Photo credit: Finnish Air Force
