The UK Defence Journal understands that Typhoon jets will be deploying to the Arctic later this month for what is intended to be a secret escort mission involving a cargo aircraft.
We can also confirm that the RAF also plan to deploy Voyager tankers in order to refuel the inbound cargo aircraft.
Voyager, the RAF designation for the Airbus A330 MRTT, began air-to-air refuelling flights and made its first operational tanker flight in May 2013. The UK operates a total of 14 Voyager aircraft, 5 of which are leased for commercial purposes when not required.
In addition to fuel, the Voyager aircraft is also expected to transfer over some biscuits and a large quantity of Brandy on behalf of the British people.
Typhoon jets will be available to escort the unknown aircraft as part of Operation ‘Jolly Red’, the flight plan is likely to involve low-level flights over the homes of good girls and boys in every British village, town and city.
This comes after news that the Royal Air Force was on high alert in order to intercept and track flights from the Arctic region.
The move has been prompted by an incident around a year ago in which Typhoon aircraft escorted a Lapland registered aircraft over every home in the country, the pilot of the craft was said to be under the influence of alcohol and very “festive”, this is especially dangerous due to the sheer volume of cargo the aircraft was carrying.
This is expected to happen again towards the end of this month.
MoD spokesman Chris Mass was quoted as saying:
“Interception is part of what the QRA force do. We have to identify and confirm who or what is flying through our airspace or approaching our airspace and since the craft appears at the same time each year, we have a fairly good idea who will be flying but we don’t take any chances.”
The Ministry of Defence used satellites with infrared sensors to track the aircraft last time this happened, it is understood that the heat from an animal’s red nose was clearly visible.
More on this as it develops, expect an update on the 24th and 25th of this month.
For an extra bit of Christmas fun, have a look for the people responding to this article with comments like “Not that secret!”, they haven’t read the article.
Ah, it’s that time of year again. 😀
I wonder if the target will go stealth one year, and those infrared trackers will fail to lock on. In some areas it seems so old school, but we still can’t emulate its global-reach IFF.
No wonder he needed a red-nosed lead. Poor rudolph probs thought he was liked for his wit and charm!
Just as the snow starts to fall here near Preston, the Typhoon’s radar pings a target 50’000ft up over Lapland.
Don’t worry Santa, I only need some new socks, boxers, and a new job!
Hurry up and swerve out of the way of those missile’s!😂🎅
Red Sleigh Down! Red Sleigh Down!
Whatever are they talking about?😉
The escort vehicle is pretty stealthy I believe with excellent VTOL capabilities, particularly in the hover near chimneys.
And a C17 to reload the cargo hopper after all the power unit is getting a bit old he delivered my first present 69 years ago
The threat is a real one … Ho! Ho! Ho!
(Remember our veterans who are having a hard time if you can.)
Off topic and with apologies to those who are inclined to tell me to go post on another forum: Go England!
Bravo. I’m at work and too nervous to look.
“Typhoon jets will be deploying to the Arctic later this month for what is intended to be a secret escort mission involving a cargo aircraft”.
Not anymore is it a secret, watch out for the Rein skit!
Some context for those that believe that Russia/China have 5th gen or are capable of 6th gen fighters;
https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmurph/articles/20221210.aspx
I’m more inclined to believe some of the Christmas stories,
Protect 🎅at all cost
I fully expect Putin to try and shoot 🎅🏻 down…
fortunately he’ll be using Russian made weapons so 🎅🏻 is probably safe… 😏
😅 Very safe indeed. Ho ho ho.
Happy happy team! England-😭
Well, since the RAF is no longer needed to escort the English Football Team after the finals, there is sufficient capacity available.
Very friendly greetings from Germany (and we are aware that our football team matches the performance of our army) and a merry christmas to all of us in these bad times!
Of course, this year Santa might well need that Typhoon Escort. I could easily see Putin trying to shoot down Santa.
It’s not like he’ll be getting anything but coal, and if he can’t have a present, no one can!
Yay – it must be Christmas!
Watch out for the new Ho-Ho-Ho-ming missiles Santa.
Can’t we have “Dinner for One” one year?
Or is that Dec 31st?
Serious question I presume the MOD has secret plans for santa to be able to get down a conning tower? To go along with this how do submarines store moss for the reindeer? Replenishment at sea may not cut it. Lastly how is Sherry for santa packed. We all know it is dangerous stuff but sailors like taking a risk
Let my 8 year old read this. Hes over joyed lol Brilliant article George