Yesterday afternoon, two RAF aircraft, BaE Typhoons, were sent just off the coast of Newcastle after two Russian Blackjack long-range bomber jet passed through “a variety of international airspace”, which had been monitored by NATO partners, and whilst not invading UK Airspace, were flying in UK Area’s of Interest.
A BaE frontline Typhoon fighter jet and a supporting Airbus A330MRTT Voyager tanker plane were sent out from RAF Lossiemouth in northeast Scotland just before 3pm, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed. It is reported that earlier in the day a French fighter jet and it’s supporting tanker plane had been sent out from an eastern French military airbase as they passed over the country earlier in the day.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Russian bombers probing UK airspace is another reminder of the very serious military challenge that Russia poses us today further adding that the UK “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.”
14:56 UTC
French tanker and AWACS are returning to base
1 UK QRA fighter is returning to base
UK A330 Voyager QRA tanker is still up
15:10 UTC
UK A330 Voyager QRA tanker is returning to RAF Lossiemouth
