Russian bombers flying near Plymouth gathered ‘valuable intelligence’

 

RUSSIAN bombers which were caught flying close to the Cornish coast are likely to have gathered “valuable intelligence”, senior military figures have warned.

The two long-range Russian “Bear” planes – which are capable of carrying nuclear missiles– were intercepted by RAF jets in UK airspace in February.

But they are believed to have gained vital information about UK defences, experts have now warned.

Russia has intelligence on UK nuclear weapons – putting us at risk of ATTACK, say experts

RUSSIA is likely to have gathered “valuable intelligence” on Britain’s nuclear programme which could put us at risk of attack, senior RAF officials have warned.

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This has given opportunities for “intruders” which could “prejudice the security and effectiveness” of Trident, they said.

In a letter to a newspaper, the officers wrote: “The need to reintroduce Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) into the British frontline is now widely recognised.

UK must keep Trident nuclear deterrent – David Cameron

The UK would be “foolish” to abandon Trident in the face of the potential threat of nuclear attack from North Korea and Iran, David Cameron has said.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said the country still needed the “ultimate weapon of defence”.

The prime minister said the nuclear danger had “increased” since the end of the Cold War.