Russian plane intercepted by British fighters in Norwegian Sea; dropped sonar buoys

A Russian Tu-142 patrol aircraft repeatedly approached a British aircraft carrier strike group operating in the Norwegian Sea, prompting an interception by British F-35 fighter jets. The incident occurred on July 2.

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that the Russian maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft flew "unnecessarily close" to the HMS Prince of Wales. During the encounter, the Russian aircraft dropped multiple sonar buoys near the carrier and failed to respond to communication attempts on international frequencies. The ministry characterized these actions as "dangerous and unprofessional."

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Actions were dangerous and unprofessional.

The Tu-142, based on the Tu-95 strategic bomber, is designed for long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare. The sonar buoys are devices equipped with transmitters and hydrophones used to detect and track submarines, raising concerns that they could have been used to track the escort ships of the carrier strike group.

Two British F-35s from the HMS Prince of Wales escorted the Russian aircraft until it left the area. The carrier strike group, operating under NATO command in the Arctic region, also includes the Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan and the RFA Tidespring support ship. Approximately 1,500 British military personnel are involved in these operations. The incident occurred just days before the NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara.

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Two British F-35s from the HMS Prince of Wales intercepted and escorted the aircraft until it left the area.