British Fighters Intercept Russian Patrol Aircraft Near Iceland
A Russian Bear-F patrol aircraft repeatedly approached the UK's Carrier Strike Group in the Norwegian Sea, prompting the scrambling of two F-35 fighters that intercepted it.
The UK Ministry of Defence announced that last week a Russian Bear-F patrol aircraft repeatedly approached the Carrier Strike Group of the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales while it was conducting NATO air defense operations near Iceland.
The aircraft flew at low altitude and unnecessarily close to the British ship, dropping ten sonobuoys into the water. The ministry described the incident in the Norwegian Sea as an "unsafe and unprofessional" action by Russia.
To intercept and escort the Russian aircraft, two British F-35 fighters were launched from the carrier.
Over the weekend, UK Defence Minister John Jarvis and Icelandic Foreign Minister Thordis Kolbrun Gunnarsdottir visited HMS Prince of Wales.
According to the ministry, HMS Prince of Wales and its escort warships are on a mission to protect the North Atlantic from increased Russian threats. Military experts and European leaders note that Russia has intensified its hybrid warfare tactics in this strategically important region.
"We live in increasingly dangerous and uncertain times, and it is precisely this deployment of forces, supported by allies and partners, including Iceland, that enhances our deterrence and defense capabilities within NATO," Jarvis said in a statement. Gunnarsdottir added that the mission is "a clear testament to NATO's increased presence in this strategically important region."
