RAF and German air force intercept Russian fighters and intelligence aircraft
Royal Air Force Typhoon jets teamed up with Germany's air force to intercept three Russian aircraft flying over the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea close to Nato airspace.
The Eurofighter Typhoons from the RAF's IX (B) Squadron and Germany's 71 'Richtofen' Wing were scrambled to intercept and visually identify several unidentified aircraft.
The two forces are currently working side by side as part of Operation Azotize to protect the eastern flank of Nato's border.
One of the aircraft was identified to be a Russian Air Force IL-20 Coot-A intelligence aircraft transiting from mainland Russia to the Kaliningrad enclave.
It was met by two Russian SU-27 Flanker-B fighter jets based in Kaliningrad which escorted the Coot-A south through the north-west area of the Estonian flight information region.
Russian military aircraft flying are often seen over the Baltic Sea and routinely intercepted.
One RAF pilot, from IX (B) Squadron, said: "The importance of intercepting these aircraft and our commitment to the collective defence of Nato airspace remains steadfast and resolute.
"What this intercept has proven is that together with our German allies, we are able to act with speed and decisiveness to effectively ensure the alliance's security."
The Coot-A is a signals intelligence variant of the IL-20 aircraft and was flying in a safe and professional manner, the RAF said.
The RAF and German Typhoons escorted the Coot-A and Flanker-Bs through the Estonian flight information region before handing over to Saab Gripen fighters of the Swedish air force.
The RAF and German air force are operating Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets out of Amari Air Base in Estonia as a combined force and this is the fifth joint intercept that the nations have conducted.
Together, they are fulfilling Nato's Baltic Air Policing Mission, Operation Azotize, and have been doing so as a combined force since the beginning of March.
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