Moscow
sent the world’s fastest supersonic fighter jet, along with spy planes
and bombers to ‘snoop’ on Nato war games designed to send a ‘warning to
Vladimir Putin’.
A senior RAF source last night told the Daily Mail: ‘We’ve never had a period like this in living memory.’
An RAF Typhoon
(bottom) intercepts two Russian MiG 31 Foxhound Fighters, as senior RAF
sources warn that the number of Russian incursions has reached a peak
not seen 'in living memory'
A Typhoon
pilot said it was the first time he had seen Russia deploy the Foxhound
Fighter – one of the most formidable craft in its class, capable of
firing long-range missiles up to 100 miles.
The
Russian planes streaked along the fringes of Baltic airspace in an
intense 36-hour period, prompting the deployment of state-of-the-art
Typhoons from Amari airbase, Estonia.
The RAF
warplanes were forced to scramble four times to intercept the Russian
warplanes, the largest number of scrambles in such a short time period
since the Cold War.
Defence
sources added that this was also the largest number of Russian planes
deployed into Nato's area of interest since the Cold War, as Vladimir
Putin was accused of 'sabre rattling'.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon visited the airbase after the planes had scrambled three times.
In
a significant hardening of Britain’s position on the worsening tensions
with Moscow, he said: ‘This is absolutely not a game. Britain is
standing tall. We mean business.’
Russian president Vladimir Putin has
been accused of 'sabre rattling' by Western leaders as he continues to
build up the country's military
Last
night RAF sources said it was believed to be the largest number of
Russian planes deployed in Nato’s area of interest since the Cold War.
Mr
Fallon was visiting the region after observing Exercise Baltops, an
annual maritime operation off the coast of Poland, in which nearly 1,000
British troops were participating.
During
the huge exercise, Russian warships had come within a mile of British
and American vessels, in a move described by a US Navy source as ‘too
close for comfort’.
Mr Fallon added on Wednesday: ‘This is a very timely demonstration of our commitment to collective defence.
‘It’s
a warning to Putin that his sabre rattling will not undermine Nato or
Britain’s resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies.’
On
Tuesday night two Typhoons scrambled to intercept two MiG 31s, known as
Foxhound Fighters, in international airspace flying towards
Kaliningrad.
Flight
Lieutenant Oli Fleming said of the incident: ‘We got alongside to see a
pair of MiG 31s. It’s the first time I’ve seen this type of MiG.’
The following day Typhoons were scrambled twice and again yesterday morning.
The
Russian planes included four Foxhound fighters, two TU-22M3 Backfire C
bombers, two surveillance aircraft and an A-50 Mainstay airborne early
warning and control aircraft.
One wingman said: ‘There’s a big surge of energy and a big adrenaline rush.’
Last
night Sir Michael Graydon, former head of the RAF, said it was
‘absolutely ridiculous’ that the Government had not committed to
spending two per cent of national income on defence given the Russian
threat.
He
said: ‘I don’t think we are surprised that Putin is reacting. What is
surprising is the number of planes he’s sent and the type of planes.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, who
visited the airbase the Typoons were scrambled from, said: ‘This is
absolutely not a game. Britain is standing tall. We mean business’
‘It is Putin saying he’s not going to let exercises in that part of the world, which he sees as threatening, going unremarked.
‘I
absolutely fail to understand why the Prime Minister won’t commit to
two per cent and is sheltering behind the strategic, defence and
security review, which is absolutely ridiculous.’
The
RAF began air policing missions from Estonia six weeks ago as part of a
collective Nato effort to defence the skies above the Baltics.
Four
UK Typhoons stationed at the base have been deployed a staggering six
times in the last ten days to intercept Russian warplanes observing
exercise Baltops.
RAF planes have intercepted Russian warplanes 12 times in the last six weeks, compared to eight times in four months last year.
Mr Fallon added: ‘We are prepared to modernise our defences.’
Estonian
Defence Minister Sven Mikser said the Russian planes were
‘unnecessarily provocative’ and said Russia had shown an ‘increased
interest in Nato exercises’.
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