Russian Navy Tu-142s are roaring near UK territory
On 28 November 2020, two RAF Lossiemouth Typhoon FGR4 fighters intercepted a pair of Russian Navy Tupolev Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft.
Strinkingly, one of the Tu-142MKs with serial RF-34057 was also intercepted two times by the RAF in March 2020. Back then the Tu-142, which is named "Vologda", carried no Bort code on the tail. During this latest interception it carried Bort code 97 red.
It was stated that Russian military aircraft operating within UK's Flight Information Region (FIR) can act as a hazard to other air users, especially in this case as this was busy airspace over the North Sea.
Often these aircraft do not squawk, which involves transmitting a code to identify the aircraft’s intentions, position, and altitude, or talk to UK air traffic controllers, causing other civilian airliners in the area to be re-routed to prevent aircraft from flying too close.
The Typhoons launched from RAF Lossiemouth on Saturday morning were joined by an RAF Voyager from RAF Brize Norton, which provided air-to-air refuelling for the Typhoons.
Photos: RAF (Crown Copyright)