RAF Typhoons head off threat from Russian spy plane flying near Nato airspace

Two Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s were scrambled to intercept a Russian military surveillance aircraft, an Ilyushin Il-20M, as it flew towards Polish airspace.

They took over from three other pairs of Nato aircraft that had been escorting it on an earlier stage of its flight.

When it was intercepted by the Typhoons, the Russian aircraft then turned northwest and transited over the Baltic Sea, keeping to international airspace to the north of Poland.

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Once the Russian plane had changed course, the two RAF Typhoons then handed over escort duties to the Danish Quick Reaction Alert.

The Typhoon aircrew who responded to the incident are from No II Squadron, part of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW).

The plane they escorted was an Ilyushin Il-20M, which has the Nato code name Coot-A and is a surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.

"I was scrambled to intercept the Coot-A aircraft approaching Nato airspace," said an unnamed EAW spokesperson.

"Once intercepted, Nato instructed us to escort the aircraft.

"We escort aircraft to ensure the safety of all air space users in the vicinity of the non-communicating aircraft.

"At no point did the aircraft file a flight plan or communicate with civilian air traffic control and it was also transiting without squawking.

"Our mission was conducted... in full accordance with international law."  

The Typhoon crew from the EAW are currently deployed at Malbork Air Base in Poland to support Nato's enhanced air policing mission in the region, known as Operation Chessman.

It is routine for RAF Typhoons to identify and escort Russian aircraft which are on an unusual flight path.

This is done in a non-threatening manner.

"Nato remains vigilant and ready to safeguard Allied airspace 24/7," said an EAW spokesperson.

"This is a clear demonstration of the UK’s commitment to collective defence."

RAF Typhoons were also scrambled to intercept similar Russian spy planes twice last month.

Nato is on high alert on its eastern flank amid tensions over Russian aggression in Ukraine.