THE RUSSIAN MILITARY are ensuring that the current detachment of aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth’s 11(AC) Squadron are kept busy.
It has been revealed that in the last week alone, the four Typhoon aircraft have been deployed to intercept 17 Russian aircraft.
From their Estonian base the Moray crews were scrambled six times with the count of Russian aircraft rising steadily – and including eight Sukhoi fighters jets. The Lossiemouth crews were deployed at the end of April to the Amari air base, they form part of Nato’s pledge to provide air cover for member states Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia who do not have any fast jets of their own.
Crews work on a rotation that ensures two are available at any time on Quick Reaction Alert with the II Squadron aircraft remaining in station until August.
Commenting on the regular interceptions Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “The RAF has shown it will respond rapidly to Russian aggression underlining our commitment to our Nato allies.”
The Moray aircraft form part of the 140 Expeditionary Air Wing commanded by Wing Commander Gordon Melville, who added: “We have proven our ability and resolve to police Nato’s airspace and will continue to secure the skies over the Baltic states every hour of every day.”