RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoon aircraft scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth to monitor two Russian planes approaching UK airspace. The Russian Blackjack Tupolev Tu-160 long-range bombers were not talking to air traffic control, making them a hazard to all other aviation.



The RAF worked closely with NATO partners to monitor the jets as they passed through a variety of international airspace, before they were intercepted by the RAF in the North Sea. Subsequently, our fighters escorted the Russian Blackjacks north, out of the UK’s area of interest. At no time did the Russian bombers enter UK sovereign airspace.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

The threats this country faces are intensifying and we will not hesitate in defending our skies from acts of aggression.

Our excellent RAF tracked the Russian aircraft every step of the way, and they continue to police UK and international airspace every hour of every day, to help keep the British people safe.

RAF QRA was launched today because the Russian Military aircraft were not talking to air traffic agencies.

The RAF routinely intercept, identify and escort Russian aircraft that transit international airspace within the UK’s area of interest and continue to be on call; 24/7, 365.

Every hour of every day since the last war QRA teams have been in operation by the RAF, these interceptions are pretty much routine for the pilots! We test them and in turn they test us, so far we have not been found wanting! Should any unidentified Air Craft stray into UK or indeed any NATO air space QRA is alerted to intercept and if it be came necessary shoot down that Possible threat!

https://youtu.be/pe46SmN_tjo

Originally Posted by reevsy

Every hour of every day since the last war QRA teams have been in operation by the RAF, these interceptions are pretty much routine for the pilots! We test them and in turn they test us, so far we have not been found wanting! Should any unidentified Air Craft stray into UK or indeed any NATO air space QRA is alerted to intercept and if it be came necessary shoot down that Possible threat!

https://youtu.be/pe46SmN_tjo

https://youtu.be/rxMpVRdAUpY

Good video's and all that, however I wonder if we "really would" shoot down as you put it a Russian jet?????

As Churchill once said "Jaw jaw is better than war war"

Almost certainly if threat was determined to be another twin towers type of event!