RAF scrambles Typhoons north of Shetland

RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft were launched from RAF Lossiemouth on 25 May to support NATO activity against a potential incursion of Russian air activity near NATO and national airspace, the UK Defence Journal understands.

An aircraft not in communication with air traffic control was detected heading down the Norwegian coast toward UK airspace. RAF Lossiemouth jets subsequently patrolled northeast of Shetland.

The UK Defence Journal understands the tasking was related to potential Russian air activity near NATO and national airspace.

The MoD confirmed the launch in a statement from an RAF spokesperson, who said: “RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft were launched on 25 May from RAF Lossiemouth this afternoon. The Typhoons were supported by a Voyager from RAF Brize Norton.”

Open source flight tracking had identified a KC.2 Voyager tanker with the callsign TARTAN 11, registration ZZ336, routing from RAF Brize Norton toward Lossiemouth ahead of the tasking. A Typhoon FGR.4 operating under the callsign PHANTOM 12 was also identified as likely airborne in connection with the scramble.

QRA is a routine part of the RAF’s air defence role. Aircraft are launched to intercept unidentified contacts that cannot be identified by any other means, including those not talking to civilian or military air traffic control, that have not filed a flight plan, or are not transmitting a recognisable secondary surveillance radar code. The RAF’s QRA aircraft are held at immediate readiness and can take off within minutes.

The paramount duty of the RAF is to control the air over the United Kingdom and, when necessary, UK interests overseas. Multirole Typhoon squadrons provide QRA duties from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, and in the Falkland Islands. Under the direction of Air Battlespace Controllers at RAF Boulmer in Northumberland, fighters can be scrambled to intercept, identify and, if required, intervene against aircraft approaching UK shores.