The Ministry of Defence has provided figures on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) launches from RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth in response to questions from Graeme Downie MP (Labour – Dunfermline and Dollar).
These launches are part of the RAF’s mission to respond to potential airborne threats to UK airspace.
Luke Pollard, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, reported that QRA launches from the two bases occurred on the following number of days each month in 2024 up to November:
- January: 0
- February: 2
- March: 1
- April: 0
- May: 0
- June: 0
- July: 0
- August: 0
- September: 2
- October: 1
- November: 1
Annual Totals for 2022 and 2023
The Ministry also provided data for 2022 and 2023. QRA launches were recorded on:
- 2022: Six days
- 2023: Nine days
QRA missions are launched to intercept and investigate unidentified or unauthorised aircraft entering UK-controlled airspace. These missions ensure the integrity of UK airspace and provide a rapid response capability to potential threats.
While the number of QRA launches remains relatively low, they reflect the ongoing readiness of the RAF to act swiftly when required, underlining its role in maintaining national security.
At the UK Defence Journal, we aim to deliver accurate and timely news on defence matters. We rely on the support of readers like you to maintain our independence and high-quality journalism. Please consider making a one-off donation to help us continue our work. Click here to donate. Thank you for your support!
Those numbers seem quite low, although they won’t include QRA launches from NATO bases when the RAF deploys to Iceland or the Baltic States, for example.
I wonder if the numbers have fallen since the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
Cheers CR
Morning mate.
Yes, I thought that too.
Lower than I expected let’s hope it stays that way 🙏
Very low numbers indeed! I was an Air Photography Operator stationed at RAF Wattisham (1979-83) and when we were on ‘Q’ there could be 2-3 scrambles each week.
I guess all the Russian aircraft are involved further east.