RAF Typhoon fighters intercept two Russian bombers near UK airspace

The British Royal Air Force’s (RAF) live-armed Typhoon fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers near the country’s airspace.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the Typhoons were scrambled from their temporary home at Leuchars Station in Fife, Scotland.

The Nato air defence radars identified the two Russian Tu-160 Blackjacks, and it was decided to send the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s (RNAF) Quick Reaction Alert fighters.

The Luftforsvaret F-16s from Bodø Airbase were dispersed and identified the Russian aircraft and shadowed them.

When the Russian Blackjacks neared the UK aircraft, a Voyager Multi-Role Tanker Transport was deployed from RAF Brize Norton, following which RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoons went to intercept the aircraft.

An RAF Typhoon pilot said: “We worked closely with units from around the Royal Air Force to deliver another successful intercept, maintaining the safety and integrity of UK and Nato airspace throughout.

“The control and reporting centre at RAF Scampton routed us directly to the Tu-160 Blackjacks so that we could take over the mission from our Norwegian allies.

“Air to air refuelling from an RAF Voyager ensured we were able to stay on task until the two Blackjacks departed from the UK’s area of interest.”

The Blackjack bombers were later handed over to the RNAF’s Luftforsvaret Q F-16s, and the Typhoons returned to RAF Lossiemouth, which is their permanent home.

In August, the US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa confirmed that two Russian aircraft have intercepted a US Air Force B-52 bomber over the Black Sea.