F-35Bs see off Russian Bear as warplane repeatedly approaches UK Carrier Strike Group

F-35B Lightnings have intercepted a Russian Tu-142 Bear F maritime patrol aircraft after it made repeated approaches towards the UK Carrier Strike Group and its flasghip - HMS Prince of Wales.

An MOD spokesperson said: "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.

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Unprofessional activity

"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."

The Tupolev Tu-142 is a Soviet-era maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft derived from the Tu-95 turboprop strategic bomber.

Sonobuoys are dropped into the water to detect the presence of submarines. The Bear F was presumably attempting to determine what undersea capability, if any, had been deployed to protect the Carrier Strike Group.

A rising threat

The fifth-generation F-35Bs on board the Royal Navy flagship are being flown by 809 Naval Air Squadron and 617 Squadron, with their home base being RAF Marham in Norfolk, as part of Operation Firecrest.

HMS Prince of Wales is leading the Carrier Strike Group in a major show of force at a time of rising Russian threats in the region.

According to the MOD, over the past two years there has been a 30% increase in Russian navy vessels threatening UK waters.

Operation Firecrest includes activity under Nato's Arctic Sentry mission, strengthening the alliance's security in a region where melting sea ice is opening new routes and increasing threat from hostile state activity.

The aim is to send a clear message that the UK will always defend its waters, protect critical infrastructure and stand firm with its allies.

Boosting security

The incident involving the Bear F came as Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis visited HMS Prince of Wales when the carrier was deployed off Iceland under Nato command.

The former Parachute Regiment officer was accompanied by Icelandic foreign minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir on the visit.

The MOD said Iceland provides vital support to allied forces operating from its territory, boosting security in the North Atlantic.

More than 1,500 UK personnel on HMS Prince of Wales, Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan and RFA Tidespring, are deployed as part of the UK Carrier Strike Group to the North Atlantic.

Mr Jarvis said: "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.

The UK has assumed command of the maritime component of Nato's Allied Reaction Force, with Rear Admiral Mark Anderson and his battle staff taking up the post.

The MOD said HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Prince of Wales's sister ship, is preparing to serve as the floating headquarters for the force later this year, having recently completed a refit in Rosyth.