Darren Boyle — Daily Mail Sept 11, 2015
RAF Typhoon and Tupolev Tu-160 bomber off the coast of Northumbria
The RAF intercepted two Russian long-range supersonic nuclear capable bombers flying off the coast of Northumbria and escorted them away from the UK area of interest.
The Ministry of Defence released photographs of one of the Cold War era aircraft being intercepted by the Typhoons which were scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth.
The Quick Reaction Alert fighter aircraft are tasked with intercepting any threats to UK airspace at short notice and were refueled by an RAF Voyager aircraft from Brize Norton during the mission.
According to the MOD, the Typhoon pilots closed in on the two Russian aircraft and visually identified them as Tupolev Tu-160 ‘Black Jack’ bombers.
The Russian jets are capable of travelling at twice the speed of sound and delivering up to 16 short-range nuclear missiles or conventional munitions.
Squadron Leader Jim Calvert of II(AC) Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth flew one of the Typhoons which intercepted the Russian jets.
He said: ‘Given the Royal Air Force’s enduring commitment to secure the UK’s skies, yesterday’s sortie once again proved Typhoon’s capability to successfully scramble and intercept Russian long-range aviation.
‘Protecting our skies is especially poignant in this 75th anniversary year of the Battle of Britain. Working together with ground-based radar and air-to-air refuelling aircraft today’s RAF continues to come together as a team to protect our country.
Intercepts of Russian aircraft by NATO have increased over the last year amid heightened tensions between the West and Moscow over the Ukraine crisis.