RAF and German jets intercept Russian aircraft
In the first ever joint operation of its kind, RAF and German fighter jets have intercepted a Russian aircraft near Estonian airspace.
The interception involved two Typhoons, which were scrambled to intercept an Il-78 Midas refuelling plane that was flying between St Petersburg and Kaliningrad and had failed to communicate with air traffic control in Estonia.
The interception was part of planned joint Nato air policing by the British and German air forces in the region.
While the incident was routine, it comes amid heightened tensions between Nato and Russia over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The jets are part of the RAF’s 140 Expeditionary Air Wing and the German 71 Tactical Air Wing Richthofen, and joint British and German operations are set to continue until the end of April.
‘Challenge treats to Nato’s borders’
The RAF is preparing to take the lead on Nato’s long-established Baltic air policing mission from the German air force in April.
It will then lead the mission for four months, with joint British and German operations set to continue until the end of April.
Four RAF Typhoon jets are currently deployed as part of the mission and are based at the Ämari air base in Estonia.
Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey said: “Nato continues to form the bedrock of our collective security. This joint UK and German deployment in the Baltics clearly demonstrates our collective resolve to challenge any potential threat to Nato’s borders, whilst demonstrating our combined strength.”