RAF scrambles Typhoon fighter jets to intercept Russian transport aircraft

British fighters launched on intercept missions six times since May

The Royal Air Force (RAF) scrambled Typhoon fighter jets to intercept two Russian transport aircraft that were flying close to Estonian airspace, officials have revealed.

The fighters were launched from Amari Air Base in Estonia on Monday, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

“We were scrambled to intercept an Antonov AN-24 Russian military transport aircraft (Nato callsign ‘Coke’) that was flying in international airspace close to Estonia from the south,” the lead pilot from XI (Fighter) Squadron said.

“Approximately 10 minutes later we were retasked to intercept an additional Antonov AN-26 transport aircraft (‘Curl’) which was following the same routing as the first.

“Both intercepts were routine and carried out in a safe and professional manner.”

It was the sixth time RAF jets have been scrambled on an intercept mission since the RAF took over from the German Air Force in May.

The RAF is deployed in Estonia in support of the Nato Baltic Air Policing mission.

“The UK operates in support of Nato to reassure our allies and is a further demonstration of the UK’s commitment to the security of the region,” a spokesperson for the MoD said.