Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported that British fighter jets intercepted a Russian Bear-F maritime patrol aircraft after it repeatedly approached a carrier strike group operating in the Norwegian Sea. The Russian plane flew at a low altitude and came “unnecessarily close” to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, reportedly dropping around ten sonobuoys into the surrounding waters on Thursday.
Describing Moscow’s actions as “unsafe and unprofessional,” the MoD said the incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the region. This event follows closely on the heels of Royal Marines boarding a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the English Channel. Simultaneously, the UK’s military leadership has issued warnings that the threats facing the nation are the most severe since the Cold War period.
Currently, the UK’s Carrier Strike Group operates near Iceland under NATO command, manned by 1,500 British personnel. The fleet includes the HMS Prince of Wales, the Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan, F-35 fighter jets, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, and logistical support from the replenishment tanker RFA Tidespring. This deployment marks the first time NATO has conducted air policing missions from a European aircraft carrier.
The sonobuoys dropped by the Russian plane are designed to float and use sonar technology to detect submarines and other vessels under the water. British forces tried to establish communication with the Bear-F over international frequencies but received no response. Consequently, two F-35 jets from the HMS Prince of Wales were scrambled to escort the Russian aircraft away from the carrier strike group. Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis, who recently visited the crew aboard the flagship, emphasized the seriousness of current threats, stating: “We live in an increasingly dangerous and uncertain time, and it’s deployments like this, supported by allies and partners including Iceland, that improve our deterrence and defence as part of Nato.” He further underscored the comprehensive nature of the Russian threat across multiple domains, saying, “the threat from Russia exists in every domain, under the water, on the water, on the land, in the sky, in space and in cyberspace as well.”
In June, Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton told the BBC that Russia has been actively “probing, challenging, testing our defences,” escalating tensions and “raising the stakes and risks crossing a line.” NATO has also issued warnings that Russia might be prepared to use military force by 2030. Last week, the UK government published its long-awaited defence investment plan, with outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announcing a £15bn increase in military spending. This boost in funding is partly financed through reductions in other government departments’ budgets. However, opposition MPs and military figures have criticized the plan, arguing that it falls short of adequately addressing the significant threat Russia poses. Earlier in the year, John Healey and Al Carns resigned from Sir Keir’s government over an earlier draft of this plan, an episode that contributed to the prime minister’s eventual downfall
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.