Thread by @RAFLossiemouth

Early this morning, #TeamLossie launched two Quick Reaction Alert Typhoons to intercept and shadow two Russian Tu-142 Bear-F aircraft as they approached the UK's area of interest.

This thread is everything you need to know 👇

1/7 #QRA

The Russian aircraft entered the UK Flight Information Region and were intercepted west of the Shetland Islands. At no time did the two Bear-F aircraft enter UK sovereign airspace. Our Typhoons shadowed them as they tracked south towards Ireland.

2/7 #QRA

They continued around the west coast of Ireland towards the south west of the UK. Our Typhoons remained off the coast near Penzance, with our colleagues from @Armee_de_lair taking over the intercept.

3/7 #QRA

The two Bear-Fs returned the way they came, around the west coast of Ireland, where they were met by a second pair of QRA Typhoons from #TeamLossie.

They were escorted until they were no longer in the UK's area of interest.

4/7 #QRA

⚠️ The UK has some of the busiest airspace in the world.

Civilian airliners are constantly using the airways in this area - our presence ensures UK Air Traffic can continue to manage this busy airspace around the hazard of the Russian activity.

5/7 #QRA

❓ Russian Tu-142 aircraft, known by @NATO as Bear-F, are primarily Anti-Submarine Warfare platforms.

They operate in a similar role to the @P8A_PoseidonRAF. Our Poseidon are able to locate, identify, and track vessels both above and below the waves.

6/7 #QRA

⭐ Another successful mission by #TeamLossie.

Activity such as today and Saturday show that we are always ready to scramble at a moment's notice, #SecuringTheSkies of the UK with our @NATO partners.

7/7 #QRA

Worth noting that Tu-142 come in lots of flavours - the Bear-F is the ASW variant. Bear-J which we intercepted on Saturday acts as a communication relay.

Hope this clears up any confusion 👍

(Pictured below, a Bear-F from today's intercept)