The UK Defence Journal understands that Typhoon jets will be deploying to the Arctic later this month for what is intended to be a secret escort mission involving a cargo aircraft.

We can also confirm that the RAF also plan to deploy Voyager tankers in order to refuel the inbound cargo aircraft. Voyager, the RAF designation for the Airbus A330 MRTT, began air-to-air refuelling flights and made its first operational tanker flight in May 2013. The UK operates a total of 14 Voyager aircraft, 5 of which are leased for commercial purposes when not required.

In addition to fuel, the Voyager aircraft is also expected to transfer over some biscuits and a large quantity of Brandy on behalf of the British people.

Typhoon jets will be available to escort the unknown aircraft as part of Operation ‘Jolly Red’, the flight plan is likely to involve low-level flights over the homes of good girls and boys in every British village, town and city.

This comes after news that the Royal Air Force was on high alert in order to intercept and track flights from the Arctic region.

RAF on high alert due to increased Arctic activity

The move has been prompted by an incident around a year ago in which Typhoon aircraft escorted a Lapland registered aircraft over every home in the country, 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.

This is expected to happen again towards the end of this month.

An MoD spokesman 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.”

The Ministry of Defence 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.

More on this as it develops, expect an update on the 24th and 25th of this month.

For an extra bit of Christmas fun, have a look for the people responding to this article with comments like “Not that secret!”, they haven’t read the article.

George Allison
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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27 COMMENTS

  3. I have heard that all Artic/northern NATO countries will be deploying a new SAM system over the Artic this Xmas with the code name “Bah Humbug 2”

  4. It has only just come to light that Santa’s grotto has been infiltrated by “Little Ivan the Terrible” (LIT) and he has been feeding Rudolf radio active grass so when Rudolf farts there is a radio active cloud plus it is believe that L.I.T has been sabotaging several of the toys. So the Typhoons will be escorting Santa to Stanstead airport were he will be meet by an SF team along with a team from the RE who will have to insert an Anal bung for poor old Rudolf and make Santa empty his sack on the runway. Mrs Santa has already put in a complaint to the UN saying Santa only gets to empty his sack once a year but this year he will have to empty his sack twice and with take some time to recover.

  8. OMG you got me again. I thought they were going to join the transports and helicopters in northern Norway.
    Not that secret being broadcast weeks before the event lol.
    Well done😁😁😁😁

  10. Will they be able to match the speed and agility of the nuclear fusion powered cargo vehicle santa has introduced well ahead of of the 2050 deadline

  11. When i was a kid, someone in television channels was live during santas roaming around the country with 2 or 3 fighter jets escorting him.

  12. Tree huggers around the world are demanding action! the global green house gas (methane) emissions increase in late December every year. So i assume this is part of Boris’s ‘Net Zero’ pledge. Nocturnal ornithologists have also expressed concerns over the unnatural red glow and the effect it has on the breeding habits of bird species.
    More to follow on this breaking news over the next few weeks…..

  16. Question for today. How can reindeer be refuelled in flight?
    Answers written on the back of £10 notes and sent to the usual address. The Royal British Legion, 48 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5JY London

  17. The Chinese elves are sitting in darkness as Xi would not import Australian coal (until he had to, on the quiet). As a result, there may not be the usual number of (tat) toys. I think “jolly red” may be deterred by PCR tests before & after arrival. He may be on the red list & need to quarantine in a naff, expensive hotel for ten days.

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