Key facts
- UK fighter jets intercepted a Russian Bear-F aircraft in the Norwegian Sea.
- The Russian plane repeatedly approached the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier at low altitude.
- The Russian aircraft dropped 10 sonobuoys near the carrier.
- Two UK F-35 jets escorted the Russian plane away from the carrier strike group.
- Britain's Defence Ministry described the activity as "unsafe and unprofessional."
British fighter jets intercepted a Russian maritime patrol aircraft that repeatedly approached the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier in the Norwegian Sea, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. The Russian Bear-F plane passed at low altitude and "unnecessarily close" to the carrier and is believed to have dropped 10 sonobuoys into the water. The MoD stated Moscow's activity in the Norwegian Sea was "unsafe and unprofessional."
The UK's Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed off Iceland under NATO command, conducting air defence operations. The mission has seen F-35 jets operate from a European aircraft carrier for the first time amid heightened tensions with Russia. Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis visited the forces over the weekend, stating that deployments like this improve deterrence and defence as part of NATO. Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir added that the deployment demonstrates NATO's enhanced presence in the strategically important region.
Military experts suggest Russia has ramped up its "hybrid war" tactics in the region. The incident occurred as the UK government is increasing defence spending, with plans to spend almost £300 billion over the next four years, including an extra £15 billion up to 2030.