Russia has flown as many long-range military aircraft towards the UK’s northern approaches in the early part of 2026 as it did across the whole of 2025, the head of the armed forces has said, the UK Defence Journal understands.
The Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Richard Knighton, made the comments in an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, as reported by the BBC on 5 June 2026. “Closer to home we have seen in 2026 more long-range aviation from Russia,” he told the programme. “These are strategic aircraft that will go well into our own airspace. We’ve seen as many in 2026 as in 2025.”
According to the BBC’s account, the airspace Sir Richard was referring to is the High North, the region taking in the Arctic Circle and the areas adjacent to it. The Royal Air Force routinely intercepts Russian aircraft approaching UK airspace.
The remarks formed part of a wider warning about the threat picture facing the UK. “This is the most dangerous period that I have known,” Sir Richard told the programme, adding, in comments reported by the BBC, that the risks and threats to the country were greater than at any time he had known since the Cold War. He said it was important that society recognised and understood this, which might mean making different choices and priorities.
He said Russia had been probing, challenging and testing the UK’s defences, and was raising the stakes in ways that risked crossing a line. That probing, he said, extended beyond traditional military means to cyber, sabotage and assassination attempts. The RAF intercepts such flights as part of the UK’s standing air defence, scrambling fighters to identify and shadow aircraft operating near the country’s airspace.
The good thing is if they are up here annoying us they are not launching missiles at civilians!
I’ve gained $17,240 only within four weeks by comfortably working part-time from home. Immediately when I had lost my last business, I was very troubled and thankfully I’ve located this project now in this way I’m in a position to receive thousand USD directly from home. Each individual certainly can do this easy work & make more greenbacks online by visiting
following website—.,.,.,.—>>> PayAtHome1.COM
Another 60 Typhoons please. The 100 we have arent sufficient for the tasking now and certainly not for another 14 years
Not a hope in hell.
If GCAP is cancelled, maybe, and I think they would buy F35A instead.
Would be nice though!
Already rumors of GCAP cancellation? this does not bodes well…what Italians and Japanese would think of that?
👍 Reports are GCAP will be delayed.
I don’t think so. 6 billion of Starmers 15/18 Billion is going on it according to the reports.
Half rhe development cost, paid in staggered amounts.
You know my cynical view, they prioritise industry over military every time with MoDs budget.
Unions will help with that.
They just want to play games, like the Tories did, by kicking the can for someone else to pay.
Scum. I vote for neither.
From what i can tell from various rumours coming out of Whitehall,HMT are reluctant to play to the MOD’s Tune,a lack of trust seems to have occurred.The result of which GCAP continues but only on the condition that HMT controls the Purse Strings.
An increase in planned F-35A from 12 to 24 would be prudent and affordable I think. Take some pressure off Typhoon and give the RAF its Tornado replacement.
Not sure what F-35A would do in terms of the subject of interceptions of Russian aircraft.
Being a Tornado replacement, it’s a ground attack aircraft with an aerial capability. It’s not an interceptor or air superiority fighter.
It’s also single engine, built abroad, and has massive problems with development that has led to new build TR3 aircraft being limited to training missions due to current software problems. Block IV software (which adds capabilities) is years late, and will be at least a decade late by the time it is released, if it ever is. Pratt & Whitney, the sole engine supplier since RR was cut from the program, has been consistently late delivering engines since 2017.
There are many reasons why buying more F-35 of any variant is not adding a capability to our armed forces. Only adding more Typhoon would be the sensible option right now.
I support idea of GCAP and Typhoon derivatives over the F35 variants….NATO countries can share cost and have a universal mount , supporting aircraft manufacturers in Europe as I feel USA will diminsh its NATO commitment with present attitudes.
Interestingly, the DT reports today June 8, that the DIP might drop the plan for 12 F-35As and B61s. That would suggest that an increase in Typhoon orders is being considered. In any case, zero or 24 F’35As both make more sense than 12.
If GCAP Is Cancelled then what an opportunity thrown away. Global Sales would be potentially massive given the Yanks not selling theirs.
Not unusual for our short sighted politicians, they seem capable of ruining anything they touch.
I support GCAP, but let’s not kid ourselves on it’s cost to Defence alongside AUKUS and nuclear, those 12 billions could buy many things and pay for thousands of extra personnel.
I view this and comment on, from a Business point.
The Aircraft for the UK Itself Is one Important part but as we see with Lockheed’s F35 sales, Revenue and Jobs Is a whole much bigger picture.
If Labour Bin That then God help them.
GCAP/Tempest, If built has enormous world wide sales opportunities.
Bugger and dam, I got all serious again. 😁
Yes, I agree.
Surely better than spending tens of billions housing illegals.
Jobs, profit, building assets.
Hopefully the Unions keep them in line.
I wasn’t alive with TSR2, warped politics seemed to kill that off?
I was, but only little.
By all accounts Britain was a Busted Flush at that time, Politics just finished It off.
End of Empire/Influence.
And here we are with the mess we have.
The TSR2 still haunts the RAF to this day personally I think it would became a world beater . But the USA think not and F111 would do the job equally well .And then along comes our Buccaneers which I won’t argue with 🤔
I’ve gained $17,240 only within four weeks by comfortably working part-time from home. Immediately when I had lost my last business, I was very troubled and thankfully I’ve located this project now in this way I’m in a position to receive thousand USD directly from home. Each individual certainly can do this easy work & make more greenbacks online by visiting
following website—.,.,.,.,.—>>> JobatHome1.Com
Equally concerning are the apparent capabilities of Cosmos 2546..
Nothing a few Photon Torpedo’s wouldn’t cure.
Maybe a Tractor Device to send It Into deep space ?
Thanks. I wasn’t aware of it’s jamming capabilities, thought it just another BM EW satellite.
The First and REAL COL WAR was during the 60s, UK Forces were on daily alerts and always ready for War. It was a tense time for British and Allied Forces. And when things got better the US Forces, the Canadians and other allies and Commonwealth Forces were awarded a Cold War Medal. ONLY THE BRITISH FORCES WERE EXCLUDED.
Coal, Cold, Colt Cola, Cole…. I’m going with COLD.
There was a Cod war!
Two In Fact !
HMS Hero lol. Odin and Thor.
Dent Master was born, as T Cut couldn’t “Cut It”.
I still don’t understand what gf is on about, he/it, seems unaware that the Col War started well before the 60s.
I didn’t read much further than trying to work out what COL was !!!!
He/It is another new poster, He/It will possibly forget which log-in he/It used In any future posts.
“Hit and Run”
The so called Cold War medal was not awarded to British Service personnel, as it wasn’t an official medal and is not recognised or issued by the UK Government. It is also not authorised for wear on UK service uniforms. Having said that, the usual medal companies will sell you a ‘Cold War’ commemorative medal for a quick 65 quid. Apparently, it was taken up widely in the US and Canada.
Well, I’m getting old but not yet senile, the COLD WAR MEDAL I was referring to was not the one on sale, but the Official Medal issued to most European, USA and Commonwealth Countries. The British Armed Forces were denied a similar OFFICIAL MEDAL.
As a purely academic exercise, I would love to know what an ASRAAM would do to the wing box i.e. striking just outside of engine 1 or 4. If that didn’t do it then a burst of 27mm in the same area would finish the job.
WW3.
Academic Exercise, call it a “Special Academic Exercise” then you are exempt from WW3.
Sorry guys although starmer is putting £18 Billion there’ll be no sign of new Typhoons . There again will it be £18 Billion ? More like 2-3 Billion or just more smoke and mirrors who knows . 🕵
It’s one thing to spend £18bn on the defence budget, but another thing whether UK forces actually get £18bn of gear, ammo or capability. Window dressing is extremely expensive now days
I wonder if that nice brave president Zelenski might have a few spare drones to hit their bases?
Well today we know for sure no 18 Billion 😟