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RAF Typhoon FGR4s Intercept Russian Il-20M Coot-A Intelligence Aircraft
Two Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s were scrambled from their deployed operating base in Northern Poland, to intercept a Russian aircraft transiting close to NATO airspace on May 24, 2025.
NATO scrambled the Malbork based Typhoons to intercept Ilyushin Il-20M (NATO reporting name: Coot-A) that had previously been intercepted and escorted by three other pairs of NATO aircraft, earlier that day. The previous escorting aircraft broke off their escorts when the aircraft turned toward Kaliningrad air space.
According to a Royal Air Force news release, once in Kaliningrad air space the aircraft turned and headed southwest towards Polish air space, it was this act that initiated NATO to scramble RAF Typhoons. The aircraft then turned northwest and transited over the Baltic Sea to the north of Poland, in international air space. Typhoons intercepted the aircraft as it left Kaliningrad air space and then escorted it, until it was handed over to Danish Quick Reaction Alert (QRA).
Once the Typhoons intercept and identify an aircraft, they are routinely instructed to then escort. This task will continue until the aircraft is handed over to another pair of NATO aircraft or the aircraft turns away from NATO airspace and it is deemed that the escort is no longer required. When escorting an aircraft in this manner, the NATO aircraft assume a none threatening position.
Operation Chessman
This routinely takes the form of the NATO aircraft intercepting from the 3 or 9 o’clock position (this is dictated by weather and the targets direction) in relation to the unknown aircraft, meaning that the position of the NATO aircraft cannot be misinterpreted as aggressive.
“I was scrambled to intercept the COOT-A aircraft approaching NATO airspace. Once intercepted NATO instructed us to escort the aircraft. We escort aircraft to ensure the safety of all air space users in the vicinity of the non-communicating aircraft. At no point did the aircraft file a flight plan or communicate with civilian air traffic control, and it was also transiting without squawking. Our mission was conducted professionally and in full accordance with international law,” An EAW spokesperson said.
Aircrew from No. II (Army Co-operation) Squadron, part of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), are currently conducting QRA as part of NATO enhanced Air Policing (eAP) when they were scrambled.
Operation Chessman is the UK contingent delivering the NATO eAP mission. RAF personnel are currently deployed at Malbork Air Base and are under the command of 140 EAW. The Operation sees personnel from across the RAF deployed to Malbork alongside NATO’s newest member Sweden.
Elint aircraft
The Il-20M turbo-prop Electronic Intelligence (Elint) aircraft was developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War for electronic intelligence (ELINT) and reconnaissance missions. The aircraft is still used by the Russian Aerospace Forces today. Given that the Coot-A was conceived to collect, analyze, and relay electronic signals and imagery intelligence, plays a crucial role in strategic surveillance missions. Derived from the Il-18D passenger aircraft, the Il-20M has been modified extensively to support its advanced military role.
According to Army Recognition, to perform its mission, the Il-20M orbits conflict zones or borders while scanning and recording electronic emissions from military installations, communication hubs, and enemy units. The Coot-A mission is aimed at monitoring air defense systems, identifying radar installations, and assessing enemy movements. The Il-20M plays a vital role in command and control operations by enhancing situational awareness and supporting decision-making at the strategic level thanks to its ability to transmit findings in real time.
Photo credit: Crown Copyright
