Military in Moray: RAF Lossiemouth Typhoons intercept Russian planes
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Live-armed Typhoons were scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth this morning to intercept Russian military aircraft operating over the North Sea near UK airspace.
The Typhoons launched shortly before 8am and were joined by an RAF Voyager from RAF Brize Norton which provided air to air refuelling.
Two Russian Tu-142 Bear F aircraft were intercepted.
An RAF spokesman said: "These aircraft are used in the roles of anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol.
"It is essential that their movements are carefully monitored when operating so close to our sovereign airspace.
Russian military aircraft operating within this busy portion of airspace over the North Sea can act as a hazard to other air users.
"Often these aircraft do not 'squawk', which involves transmitting a code to identify their intentions, position, and altitude.
"They rarely talk to UK air traffic controllers, causing other civilian airliners in the area to be re-routed to prevent aircraft from flying too close.
"To deter this provocative activity and mitigate the risks the RAF Typhoons shadowed the two Russian 'Bears' and closely monitored their movements."
Other NATO allies also launched their Quick Reaction Alert assets to assist in monitoring the Russian Tu-142s.
