RAF catches Russian bombers in UK airspace

Streaking through the dawn sky, a deadly Russian Blackjack nuclear bomber buzzes British airspace in a dramatic picture released by the RAF.
((Picture!))

It was taken by the crew of a Tornado jet scrambled to intercept the supersonic invader as it headed for Scotland

defence chiefs revealed the RAF has been scrambled no fewer than 20 times in the last year to repel Russian warplanes.

Analysts said it was part of a growing tendency for the Kremlin to flex its military muscles in the post-Cold War era. The Russian 'Bear' has been testing Western response times to its increasingly aggressive incursions.

Nicknamed the White Swan by its Russian pilots, the Tu160 is capable of travelling at 1,380mph and can carry up to 88,000lbs of ordnance including either cruise or short-range nuclear missiles.

Two RAF Tornado F3 fighters from 111 Squadron were immediately scrambled from RAF Leuchars in Fife.

They intercepted the Russian warplanes in international airspace near Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis, and took photographs of the bombers glinting in the early morning sunshine against a clear blue sky.

The Tornados closely shadowed the bombers as they flew south, before they eventually turned north just short of the Northern Ireland coast.

The incidents have revived memories of the Cold War, when cat-and-mouse games in the sky were common

Wing Commander Mark Gorringe, commander of 111 Squadron, added: 'This is not an unusual incident and people may be surprised to know that our crews have successfully scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft on more than 20 occasions since the start of 2009.

'It's a very important job, defending Western Europe

'They have become more incursive and more aggressive in their operations and it is a definite change in their behaviour patterns.