Tag Archives: RAF jets scramble to intercept Russian bombers over North Sea as Nato reports dozens of planes in European airspace

RAF jets scramble to intercept Russian bombers over North Sea as Nato reports dozens of planes in European airspace

Posted by aurelius77 on
  • 26 Russian aircraft ran ‘military manoeuvres’ in 24 hours including two Bear bombers followed by RAF fighters
  • Nato steps up its defences as it says two planes near Britain did not file flight plans or contact controllers
  • Alliance reported ‘unusual’ activity after intercepting 100 Russian planes in 2014 – triple the number in 2013

Nato has sounded a warning after 26 Russian bombers, tankers and fighter jets on military exercises were intercepted around Europe in just 24 hours.

Jets were scrambled by the RAF and allies in Germany, Portugal and Turkey after the ‘unusual’ spike in activity, which saw two giant Tu-95 Bear H bombers fly close to Britain yesterday.

The alliance said Russia had conducted ‘significant military manoeuvres in European airspace’ – though it then added none of the planes had strayed into any specific country’s territory.

The two Bear bombers had been part of an eight-plane formation which was first intercepted by Norwegian F-16s over at 2am yesterday. Continue reading →