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RAF Typhoon fighters scrambled to intercept Russian military aircraft in UK airspace

By Dario Leone
Nov 1 2018
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RAF Typhoon fighters were scrambled on Oct. 31, 2018 as a precautionary measure against a potential incursion into UK area of interest by one or more unidentified aircraft

The UK Ministry of Defence said that Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighters were scrambled on Oct. 31, 2018 to intercept Russian military aircraft which had flown near UK airspace.

A spokesman said: “Typhoon fighters were scrambled today as a precautionary measure against a potential incursion into UK area of interest by one or more unidentified aircraft.

“At no time was there a threat to UK airspace.”

Britain routinely monitors Russian warplanes near UK airspace and RAF fighters intercepted jets flying over the North Sea last month.

Mark Lancaster, Britain’s Minister for Armed Forces, warned in a speech in July of “an ever more assertive Russia”.

He said the RAF has had to scramble jets more than 80 times over the last decade to intercept Russian military aircraft.

As reported by Sky News, in September two RAF planes were sent to the coast off Newcastle after Russian Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjets strategic bombers passed through “a variety of international airspace”.

At the time, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Russian bombers probing UK airspace is another reminder of the very serious military challenge that Russia poses us today.

“We will not hesitate to continually defend our skies from acts of aggression. Once again the rapid reactions of our RAF have demonstrated how vital our armed forces are in protecting Britain.”

In August a pair of RAF fighter jets were scrambled from southeast Romania to the Black Sea to head off two Russian aircraft which were believed to be Su-30 fighters.

Tensions between the UK and Russia have been rising in recent years, and worsened after the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in March.

RAF Typhoon fighters scrambled to intercept Russian military aircraft in UK airspace
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 No. 29(R) Squadron, ZK308 / TP-V – 2014

Photo credit: Crown Copyright

Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com


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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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