RAF jets scrambled to intercept two Russian bombers heading towards UK airspace

RAF jets have been scrambled to intercept two Russian Tupolev Tu-160 supersonic bombers heading towards UK airspace.

 

Typhoons jets from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire were deployed as part of the RAF's quick reaction alert.

The Tu-160 is a heavy strategic bomber with a swept back, Concorde-style wing, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

The pair of bombers is not in UK airspace but is believed to be over the North Sea in what is known as the UK's 'area of interest'.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed the jets were scrambled this afternoon.

Both jets are thought to be heading southbound towards France after presuambly flying from Russia around Norway's northern and western coastline.

Intercepts of Russian aircraft by NATO have increased over the last year amid heightened tensions between the West and Moscow over the Ukraine crisis.

An RAF spokesman said the situation was "on-going" and was not uncommon.

He said: "We have Typhoons up on a quick reaction alert. The situation is on-going."

RAF jets are being scrambled an average of once a month to deal with Russian aircraft encroaching on UK airspace.

On 52 occasions over the last five years, quick response aircraft took off to respond to Moscow's jets.

Ten jets were scrambled in 2011 - the peak during the six year period - while nine incidents were recorded in 2012.

GETTY

A Tupolev Tu-160 bomber taking off

 

GETTY

The Tu-160 is a heavy strategic bomber with a swept back, Concorde-style wing

 

GETTY

A Typhoon jet taking off from RAF Coningsby

 

In 2013, 2014 and 2015, eight RAF jet launches were required to deal with Russian aircraft.

Last February, two Tu-95 bombers intercepted over the Channel were found to be carrying a nuclear missile designed to destroy Trident submarines.

Cockpit conservations confirming the bomber's nuclear payload were intercepted by a Norwegian military listening post and passed to the Ministry of Defence.

The missile was not armed, and the aircraft's crew would have required a direct order from Vladimir Putin before making it live.




source:express.co.uk

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