Two Royal Air Force Voyager tanker aircraft are now being deployed to refuel a cargo aircraft over the Arctic.

A source told me that a significant amount of goods brought to the UK over the course of December are being brought by this one cargo a, so all efforts are being made to make sure it reaches its destination.

Details are scarce but it’s understood that Voyager tanker aircraft will be making sure that an unidentified cargo aircraft flying from the Arctic has enough fuel to conduct an incredibly long-haul flight. This is primarily due to the increased weight the aircraft has on taking off, meaning it burns more fuel.

Voyager, the RAF designation for the Airbus A330 MRTT, 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.

The operation, involving both Western and Russian forces, is being called Operation RED.

It is understood that the Ministry of Defence used satellites with infra-red sensors to track the aircraft, the heat from an animal’s red nose was clearly visible.

It has also been made clear in the last few moments the refuelling operation has now started and additional Typhoon aircraft have been scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth to begin escorting the cargo aircraft over every British city, town and village later tonight, but it is understood that the aircraft has only been cleared to fly over the homes of good boys and girls as discussed above.

It is expected that the soon to be refuelled aircraft will enter UK airspace not a moment before midnight tonight. In addition to fuel, the Voyager aircraft has is also transferring over some biscuits and a large quantity of Brandy.

The British Armed Forces contribution to ‘Operation RED’

Excluding today’s news, there are two main efforts supporting Operation RED.

  • Typhoons are available to escort the cargo aircraft, 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. But only if they’re good.
  • HMS Prince of Wales has sailed to the Arctic to act as an emergency landing option should “a classified cargo aircraft” require its usage.

Speaking to NATO Maritime Command Admiral Feliz Navidad, we were told:

“So here it is merry Christmas.
Everybody’s having fun
Look to the future now
It’s only just begun!”

Merry Christmas everyone.

George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison

16 COMMENTS

  1. Wishing them good luck for a successful operation! And thanks George for this story, along with all the other useful defence news you’ve brought us in the last year.

  2. To be fair, although it’s a joke, maybe Father Christmas could actually do with some fighter escorts; Putin’s a grinch if there ever was one and I could see him trying to shoot down Santa’s sleigh!

  3. Glad to see that the big man’s getting the help he needs! From what I’ve heard, we’re ready to help out too across the pond

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here