News & Politics - RAF jets sent to intercept Eight Russian bombers headed for Britain

welshgirlyUK · 09-07-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Four Raf fighter jets were scrambled yesterday to intercept EIGHT Russian bombers heading for Britain.

The Tornado F3 interceptors turned away the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear-H aircraft before they reached UK airspace.

Norwegian F16 fighters were also scrambled to monitor the bombers.

It was the biggest confrontation since the Cold War and deepened the crisis between Russia and Britain.

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The RAF has had to warn off long-range Russian aircraft several times this summer after president Vladimir Putin put his bombers back on patrol.

But it is the first time the Kremlin has deployed so many to test Britain's air defences. The Bear - a Cold War icon - is Russia's equivalent of the US B-52 and has strategic nuclear capability.

The Tornado F3s flew from RAF Leeming, North Yorks, and RAF Waddington, Lincs, in the early hours.

A Boeing E-3D airborne warning and control aircraft and a VC-10 refuelling tanker supported the operation, the Ministry of Defence said.

The F3 is fitted with four Skyflash radar-guided, medium-range missiles and four AIM-9L Sidewinder infra-red homing air-to-air missiles. But the MoD said there had been no contact between British and Russian pilots and at no time were the RAF jets' weapons locked on to the bombers.

A spokesman added: "The re-emergence of long-range flights from Russia is something the Russians are entitled to do. All countries have the right to exercise their defence capabilities.

"The motivation is a matter for the Russian government."

Relations soured when Mr Putin refused to hand over Andrei Lugovoi, suspect in the London murder last November of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.

Last month, two of the RAF's new Typhoon Eurofighters were scrambled for the first time to turn back a single Bear over the north Atlantic.

In July, two Russian aircraft were warned off by RAF jets and in May two Tornado F3s intercepted a Tu-95 observing the Royal Navy exercise Neptune Warrior.

Source.

I dont quite know what to make of this. I'm so glad our RAF are on the ball but i dont see why Russia needs to keep sending fighter jets over towards us. Seems like there asking for a fight or maybe to spy, i dont know. Its certainly suspicious thats for sure.

Lexis · 09-08-2007, 10:06 AM

I think its just posturing, a reminder that Russia is still a huge power.

But there was a report in the paper earlier this week claiming that intelligence sources in the UK thought that the Russian Embassy was essentially being used as a spying HQ as opposed to a diplomatic office.

welshgirlyUK · 09-08-2007, 10:20 AM

If i'm being totally honest, i wouldn't be surpised if thats true.

Its all probably been kicked up a notch after the recent Litvinenko investogation, its just fanned the flames again.

Maggie aka Sarah · 09-08-2007, 02:58 PM

I also think that it's mainly posturing. Reminding NATO and NORAD, etc., what the Russians are capable of.

Also continuing an old tradition. NORAD fighter jets used to intercept and escort Soviet fighter jets out of North American air space quite regularly.

Here are a couple of links:

CTV.ca - NORAD scrambles jets to intercept Russian bombers- CTV News, Shows and Sports -- Canadian Television

Russian bombers fly to Guam for manoeuvres to show off new military power - Yahoo! Canada News

Maggie

Indian Summer · 09-08-2007, 03:29 PM

"But it is the first time the Kremlin has deployed so many to test Britain's air defences."

"The motivation is a matter for the Russian government."

...Am I the only one who notices that these two statements contradict each other? Heh.

I don't know. To me, it makes sense that Russia did this. I'm not exactly comfortable with it, but it hardly seems like these planes posed a real threat- it's much like North Korea shooting missiles into the sea of Japan. Definitely posturing, wanting to show the nations that they think [and somewhat rightfully] oppress their independence and strength that they're still there and still worth taking seriously.

welshgirlyUK · 09-09-2007, 04:55 AM

I dont think it has to do with that, i think its more about the tensions right now between both countries over Litvinenko. I dont think we've recently threatened to take there independance, so therefore i dont see the need to exercise 'their right to it.'

These planes are known to carry bombs, i dont see how thats not a threat? And attempting to spy on the Navy? That shouldn't be taken lightly. I dont think they would have bombed us, but i certainly dont trust them.

Indian Summer · 09-09-2007, 05:25 PM

The spying is a potential motivated suggested without any basis in reality, not fact.

While their choice of Britain for a flyover obviously has to do with the increasing tensions, the fact that they've resumed these exercises in general... ech, obvious posturing. Russia's been shouting to anyone who will listen that they're becoming prosperous, powerful, and threatening again for years now.

**sum1** · 09-09-2007, 05:46 PM

The Litvinenko thing really pissed me off. Quite apart from murdering this guy, the assassination method dangerously irradiated various parts of London, a danger to uninvolved inhabitants of London. If you're going to off somebody at least do it without spreading radiation around.

welshgirlyUK · 09-14-2007, 01:25 PM

Hmm i agree. Weren't there traces found on a plane too, or suspected traces? It could have spread to so far and wide. It had the potential to cause extreme illness and death.

But the case is still resusming, could that be why there resuming? It just seems like an attempt at intimidating tactics to get Britain to let up and leave the Litvinenko case alone to me. Although our govt dont seem to be taking it seriously so i guess i wont.

It did achieve in making me impressed by the defence system of the RAF and there speed and quick reaction though...


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