British Air Force intercepts Russian aircraft over NATO airspace twice in less than 24 hours
Today, Friday, an Al Arabiya correspondent reported that the British Air Force intercepted a Russian aircraft over NATO airspace for the second time in less than 24 hours.
Meanwhile, a British destroyer was escorting 3 Russian warships that passed near British territorial waters.
Interception over NATO airspace
British and Swedish warplanes intercepted two Russian warplanes that were flying near NATO and Swedish airspace on Thursday evening, according to the Royal Air Force.
The British Air Force said Swedish Air Force Gripen aircraft and RAF Typhoon aircraft rushed to intercept a Su-27 Flanker fighter jet and an Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft belonging to Russian forces.
“They weren’t up to standard”
The Royal Air Force tweeted that the two Russian aircraft did not meet international standards and were unable to contact the relevant FIRs, however they remained in international airspace and flew professionally.
“This was a routine interception involving pilots and technicians from the 1st RAF Squadron,” the RAF added, guarding the skies over the Baltic.
Baltic Air Police
For its part, NATO has announced that British aircraft are being deployed as part of the alliance’s air surveillance mission over the Baltic states, known as the Baltic Sea Air Police Mission.
Notably, the Baltic countries do not have air defenses or deploy air forces, and depend on NATO members to patrol their airspace near the borders with Russia and Belarus.
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