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UK Typhoons shadow Russian bomber | UK Typhoons shadow Russian bomber |
(1 day later) | |
Two new RAF Typhoon jets shadowed a Russian bomber heading for Britain, the Ministry of Defence has said. | Two new RAF Typhoon jets shadowed a Russian bomber heading for Britain, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
The jets were scrambled on Friday 17 August to identify the Russian aircraft, which turned back before it reached UK skies. | The jets were scrambled on Friday 17 August to identify the Russian aircraft, which turned back before it reached UK skies. |
The MoD said: "RAF Typhoons from Numbers 3(F) and XI Squadrons launched to shadow a Russian Bear-H aircraft over the North Atlantic Ocean." | The MoD said: "RAF Typhoons from Numbers 3(F) and XI Squadrons launched to shadow a Russian Bear-H aircraft over the North Atlantic Ocean." |
The BBC's Gordon Corera said the incident was not a security threat. | The BBC's Gordon Corera said the incident was not a security threat. |
Active standby | Active standby |
He said a similar incident occurred in July, but that this represented a new, more provocative Russian foreign policy. | He said a similar incident occurred in July, but that this represented a new, more provocative Russian foreign policy. |
Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, has recently resumed the Soviet-era practice of sending bomber aircraft on long-range flights. EUROFIGHTER FACTS Estimated total cost to UK: £15.9bnUK base: RAF ConingsbyDimensions: Length -15.96m (52ft) Wingspan - 10.95m (32ft) Height - 5.28m (17ft) class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6958547.stm">Factfile: Eurofighter Typhoon | |
Britain's £67m Typhoons were only put on active standby in July. | Britain's £67m Typhoons were only put on active standby in July. |
Typhoons, the RAF's newest fast jet aircraft - which are based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire - cover the UK Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) commitment together with Tornado F3 aircraft based at RAF Leeming and RAF Leuchars. | Typhoons, the RAF's newest fast jet aircraft - which are based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire - cover the UK Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) commitment together with Tornado F3 aircraft based at RAF Leeming and RAF Leuchars. |
Over the next nine months, the Typhoons will progressively replace Tornado F3s, the aircraft which have performed this duty for many years. | Over the next nine months, the Typhoons will progressively replace Tornado F3s, the aircraft which have performed this duty for many years. |
The Typhoon was designed during the Cold War, when European leaders looked to the Soviet Union as their main threat from the air. | The Typhoon was designed during the Cold War, when European leaders looked to the Soviet Union as their main threat from the air. |
The RAF has ordered 144 Typhoons, which can accelerate from standing to take-off in under seven seconds. | The RAF has ordered 144 Typhoons, which can accelerate from standing to take-off in under seven seconds. |
They were developed by companies in the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy. | They were developed by companies in the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy. |
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