British, Norwegian warplanes intercept Russian aircraft over North Sea

By Ahmet Gencturk

ANKARA (AA) - British and Norwegian warplanes intercepted Russian aircraft on two separate occasions above the North Sea, NATO said Thursday.

In the first incident, the Norwegian air control center in the northern province of Sorreisa ordered the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) scramble after multiple Russian aircraft were detected flying out of the Kola Peninsula, the alliance said in a statement.

Consequently, Norwegian F-35 warplanes took off from the northern Finnmark coast, where they identified and shadowed a Russian A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning aircraft.

In the second occurrence, British Royal Air Force Typhoons were scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth in northeastern Scotland in response to Russian aircraft which continued to fly above the North Atlantic after being intercepted by Norwegian warplanes.

Two Russian Tu-95 Bear H, which are long-range bombers, and two maritime patrol Tu-142 Bear F were among Russian aircraft which were intercepted by British warplanes, it said.

“This 24/7/365 days Air Policing mission is very important for NATO and the Norwegian Air Force are well prepared and ready to support,” said NATO. ​​​​​​​