Babak Taghvaee - Μπάπακ Τακβαίε - بابک تقوایی Profile picture
Author, Historian, Journalist. Former Freelance Contributor & Commentator of @BBC & @RFERL. Find my articles in @AFMonthly, @IsraelHayomHeb & @PtisiMagazine now

Mar 11, 2020, 5 tweets

To establish its hegemony #Russia Navy had two of its Tu-142s involved in a 13 hours long flight over Atlantic Ocean, Barents, Norwegian & North Seas on 07/03/2020. #RoyalAirForce's Typhoon FGR4s from #RAF Coningsby & Lossiemouth identified & escorted them. Credit:Crown Copyright

#Russia MOD released a video recorded by a #RussianNavy aviator inside one of the Tu-142s involved in this mission. It can show the #RoyalAirForce Typhoon FGR4s intercepting them:

Based on the pictures taken by #RAF Typhoon pilots, the Tu-142s involved in this mission are RF-34057 (Left) & RF-34073 (Right). First is a 1982 built Tu-142MK anti-submarine aircraft & the second is a 1989 built Tu-142MR submarine communications relay aircraft which is upgraded.

They both belong to 2nd Guards Aviation Group, 403rd Independent Mixed Aviation Regiment, Northern Fleet of #Russian Navy Aviation at Kipelovo. Only 4 Tu-142MKs & 2 Tu-142MRs are left operational in 403 OSAP!In total 10 Tu-142MKs & 3 Tu-142MRs are left operational in #RussiaNavy.

The 13 hours long mission of 302 OSAP's Tu-142MK/MRMs was supported by #Russia Air Force. An Il-78M from 203rd Guards Independent Aircraft-Refueling Aviation Regiment with 50 BLUE tactical number refueled them both. Two MiG-31BMs of 98th Independent Composite Aviation Regiment!

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