Two UK F-35 fighter jets intercepted a Russian patrol aircraft that repeatedly approached the UK’s carrier strike group in the Norwegian Sea last week, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed.
Unsafe and Unprofessional Activity
The Russian ‘Bear-F’ maritime patrol aircraft passed at low altitude and unnecessarily close to HMS Prince of Wales, dropping a large number of sonobuoys in close proximity to the carrier. The MoD condemned the activity as “unsafe and unprofessional.”
An MoD spokesperson stated: “While operating in the Norwegian Sea on Operation Firecrest, the UK’s Carrier Strike Group was repeatedly approached by a Russian ‘Bear-F’ maritime patrol aircraft. The Bear-F passed at low altitude and unnecessarily close to HMS Prince of Wales and dropped a large number of sonobuoys in close proximity to the carrier. This activity was unsafe and unprofessional. The Russian aircraft was intercepted and escorted by two UK F-35 jets from HMS Prince of Wales until it left the area.”
Operation Firecrest
The carrier strike group was conducting Operation Firecrest in the Arctic region. The F-35 jets, stationed at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, launched from HMS Prince of Wales to intercept the Russian aircraft. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between NATO and Russian forces in strategically important waters.
The MoD did not specify the exact number of sonobuoys dropped or the duration of the interception. Sonobuoys are used by anti-submarine warfare aircraft to detect submarines, indicating the Russian aircraft may have been attempting to track the carrier group’s movements.
