RAF Typhoons Scrambled 3 Times In 24 Hours

RAF Typhoons have reportedly been scrambled three times in just 24 hours as Russian planes attempt to fly close to NATO exercises being conducted in the Baltic.

The British aircraft are currently based in Estonia as 17 countries take part in BALTOPS 2015.

The exercise, involving 49 ships, 61 aircraft, 1 submarine and 5,600 troops, is taking place across Poland, Sweden, Germany and throughout the Baltic Sea.

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There has been a marked increase in Russian air activity in the last six weeks with RAF intercepts of Bear bombers and reconnaissance aircraft now in double figures.

Earlier this year Russian warships passed through the English channel as they sailed to get a closer look at NATO's Exercise Joint Warrior which took place off the coast of Scotland.

In February the former head of the RAF told Forces TV that "Britain is at the mercy of Russian aircraft" because of a halving in air defence systems since the end of the Cold War.