The Royal Air Force will be on high alert from now until the 25th of December to track an unregistered cargo flight from the Arctic region.

The aircraft is understood to have behavioural intelligence-gathering capabilities of the type that can sort British citizens into a ‘list’, determining their behaviour over the last year.

The move has been prompted by an incident around a year ago in which Typhoon aircraft escorted a Lapland-registered aircraft over the UK’s major cities early on the morning of the 25th.

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.

Ministry of Defence spokesman C. Cringle had this to say:

“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.”

This is expected to happen again towards the end of next month from the 24th through to the 25th.

The Ministry of Defence previously 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 and it was at this point RAF aircraft began escorting the jet over every British city, town and village.

More on this as it develops. We expect more updates on the 25th of December.

Everyone could use a bit of festive cheer, we hope this article has given you some of that.


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!

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
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geoff49
geoff49
2 months ago

Our annual gift from the Tally-ho lads of the QRA George. Long may the tradition continue. All the best from your South African correspondent(putting up our tree tomorrow!)
Cheers
Geoff

Jacko
Jacko
2 months ago

Only one way to stop this outrageous event occurring every year,
Nuke the north pole

ChariotRider
ChariotRider
2 months ago

Now I know its nearly Christmas.

Thanks for making me smile George.

Cheers CR

James MacCallum
James MacCallum
2 months ago

Sinisterly, Boots the Chemist’s have taken over this Hostile Intelligence Gathering escapade..according to the adverts.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
2 months ago

I think it’s poor that a Typhoon is used.
Santas Slay and the Reindeer must be able to hover to allow access to many places….Typhoon can not.
A TR3B would be a much better fit. Silent. Chameleon skin, hovers. Doubts as to it’s existence….a perfect Santa escort!
Am I over thinking this….πŸ€ͺ

Geoff Roach
Geoff Roach
2 months ago

Just a tad. Happy end of November Daniele. I’ll be back before the BIG ONE.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
2 months ago
Reply to  Geoff Roach

😁

Athelstanthecurious
Athelstanthecurious
2 months ago

Having carried out many decades of research into the motive power for this aircraft, I heartily recommend two power plants per each Tempest. They only require grass and lichens fuel, how green is that! Keeps the planet safe and green at the same time!

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
2 months ago

It comes earlier every year. Is it a delivery of Easter eggs.

Dave Wolfy
Dave Wolfy
2 months ago
Reply to  Spyinthesky

My apologies, I did not see your comment.

New Me
New Me
2 months ago

A refueling tanker would be the best escort, water for the reindeer, brandy or whisky for the pilot. A typhoon can’t provide that.

Geoff Roach
Geoff Roach
2 months ago
Reply to  New Me

You forgot the mince pies and the carrots. For heaven’s sake how could you ?? !!

Aurelius
Aurelius
2 months ago

Cool 😎
πŸŽ… Merry Christmas to one and all. πŸŽ…

Mark T.
Mark T.
2 months ago

Who’d be tempted to pull the trigger, asking for a friend lol

Dave Wolfy
Dave Wolfy
2 months ago

It gets earlier every year.

Loggy
Loggy
2 months ago

Now Finland is in NATO I’m not sure why it should all be left to thr overstretched RAF to do all this. Surely we can at least share the onerous load with our NATO partners?

D.Roberts
D.Roberts
2 months ago

I believe nasa tracks this too, my kids used to love watching that

Bob79
Bob79
2 months ago
Reply to  D.Roberts

NORAD

Drew
Drew
2 months ago

Ho ho ho but pure crap on a serious defence page induces as much tension in the adult mind as to what was in a sock as a kid

Trevor G
Trevor G
2 months ago

If they should accidentally shoot the intruder down I have to advise from experience in Sweden that reindeer steak tastes lovely…

geoff49
geoff49
2 months ago
Reply to  Trevor G

How about Reindeer Biltong Trev( you might have to Google it πŸ™‚ )

klonkie
klonkie
2 months ago
Reply to  geoff49

hhm biltong – yes please Geoff!

Richard E
Richard E
2 months ago

NORAD have a Santa Tracker for the target within Ground Radar Detection Capabilities.
US Space Command have another in which Santa is detected as a Space Object,so therefore has triggered the DSP on launch and is traveling in the profile of a ballistic missile or Unidentified Space Object.
But he won’t be in any possible detection profile until the 24th December!
Far to early for this old chestnut!
Anyhow any Ground Radar Detection would come under the RNAF Air Defence Region/ FiR .
The RAF/ UKADR/ FIR are well to the South !

Zimon
Zimon
2 months ago

November 30th is the feast of Cringemas.

geoff49
geoff49
2 months ago
Reply to  Zimon

..and the 23rd December is Festivus, for the rest of us πŸ™‚