UK Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Aircraft in Norwegian Sea
UK fighter jets intercepted a Russian Bear-F maritime patrol aircraft on Thursday. The aircraft approached the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier in the Norwegian Sea, passing at low altitude and dropping ten monitoring devices known as sonobuoys.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) described the Russian actions as “unsafe and unprofessional.” British forces attempted to contact the Russian plane but received no response. Two F-35 jets were then deployed to escort the Bear-F away from the Carrier Strike Group.
The UK’s Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed off Iceland under NATO command, with 1,500 personnel on board. This group includes the HMS Prince of Wales, Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan, and various aircraft.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis visited the HMS Prince of Wales recently, emphasizing the importance of NATO deployments for national security. The UK government has also announced plans to increase military spending by £15 billion, partly to address threats from Russia.
In related news, the government has imposed sanctions on seven individuals and two organizations linked to chemical weapons development.
