Key facts
- A Russian Tu-142 maritime patrol aircraft flew close to the Royal Navy flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, in the Norwegian Sea.
- The aircraft dropped a large number of sonobuoys in close proximity to the carrier.
- Two UK F-35 jets intercepted and escorted the Russian aircraft.
- The Ministry of Defence stated the activity was unsafe and unprofessional.
A Russian Tu-142 maritime patrol aircraft flew low and close to the Royal Navy flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, in the Norwegian Sea on July 2, dropping numerous sonobuoys in the carrier's vicinity. The aircraft was then escorted away by two F-35B jets launched from the carrier.
The Ministry of Defence described the incident as "unsafe and unprofessional," stating that radio calls to the approaching Russian aircraft on international frequencies went unanswered. The deployment of sonobuoys suggests the Russian aircraft was searching for submarines, though it may have been a signal of interest rather than tactical relevance.
This maneuver occurred during Operation FIRECREST, a flying operations exercise. The intercepting jets flying from the carrier itself highlights the need for carriers to support anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations. In a conflict scenario, F-35s would likely be dispatched to neutralize such aircraft before they could provide targeting information to enemy submarines or warships.
The Tu-142, a variant of the Tu-95 bomber, is known for its powerful turboprops and long range, capable of carrying numerous sonobuoys. Approximately 22 such aircraft remain operational with Russian naval aviation, primarily based near the Finnish and Norwegian borders. Activity by Russian naval aviation and intelligence-gathering assets near UK waters has reportedly increased by about 30% over the past two years.