The Royal Air Force will reportedly be on high alert from now until the end of next month in order to track an ‘expected’ unregistered cargo flight from the Arctic region.
The aircraft is understood to have “good or bad” intelligence gathering capabilities.
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, 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.
MoD spokesman 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 on 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 animals 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 25h of December.
Everyone could use a bit of festive cheer, we hope this article has given you some of that.
If anyone moans about this then you’re Scrooge, no exceptions.
Good Morning George. Really appreciate having the privilege of access to UKDJ but am totally mystified as to why my post was deleted? Please could the moderator let me know so I do not repeat the ‘crime’ but rwhat I said could have come from the mouth of our local Presbyterian Minister! Regards
Thanks George and all the best. Lets hope the Boys in Blue keep the skies safe during this busy time 🙂
Hi George. Sorry-my post was for another article sent here by mistake and should have course been deleted by moderator as not on subject. I feel a right eejit!!! 🙁
We don’t have moderators Geoff, we’re a small team. Most of it’s automated and the rest is myself or someone else on a Friday evening.
Thanks George-noted for future. Cheers
Love it!
I’m concerned about the payload this aircraft may be carrying. Are the RAF sure it should be allowed into our airspace?
Stuff the airspace….do they know my post code?
Nice one. Always enjoy these, especially when people take them seriously.
Bloody (north) eastern Europeans coming over here and taking all the delivery jobs….
This has the feel of “chestnuts ” about it…
Christmas joy in December yes…..BUT……I say NO MR Allison it’s not advent, yes your a respected Defence blogger…but you can’t move advent…(in and angry comic 1990s comic voice).
They need to lookout for a pilotless F14 Tomcat, as I’m not sure Lt Turkey has control of the aircraft since Lt Carrot was ejected ?
That’s been my favourite Christmas advert this year.
Here we go again… every year tis the same. Oh well I guess it has become UKDJ tradition.
We’ve been doing this in some form since 2015.
we know…..
Anyway, I heard due to ”His” age and the fact he has a massive beard, rendering any mask useless, that there is a younger stand in this year.
Any chance I could recommend a friend who has lost his job due to COVID… lol
Biological Air Transport Systems(BATS)
Lets hope Covid19 has Not disrupted the production of presents too much, and Santa Claus has enough presents to distribute on Xmas day!
At least Santa is getting prepared!
I heard that Santa’s in quarantine and that he has had to furlough some of his staff.
Ho, dear!
He`s being treated by the National Elf Service.
Well then! A lot of boys and girls will be in tears this Xmas, by the look of things!
From what I hear, Santa will be going Contactless this year for deliveries. He will be operating a Drones to make the run this year. It has the Top Santa Secret Name of the Loyal Elfman Drone project.
These are incursions by he Imperial Arctic Air Force