F-35 jets intercepted Russian plane following UK carrier strike group
A Russian patrol aircraft "repeatedly approached" the UK's carrier strike group as it operated in the Arctic last week, and was intercepted by two F-35 fighter jets, the Ministry of Defence said.
The Bear-F plane dropped a series of buoys into the water near to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, the MoD revealed, and condemned the activity as "unsafe and unprofessional".
An MoD spokesperson said: "While operating in the Norwegian Sea on Operation Firecrest, the UK's Carrier Strike Group was repeatedly approached by a Russian 'Bear-F' maritime patrol aircraft.
"The Bear-F passed at low altitude and unnecessarily close to HMS Prince of Wales and dropped a large number of sonobuoys in close proximity to the carrier.
"This activity was unsafe and unprofessional. The Russian aircraft was intercepted and escorted by two UK F-35 jets from HMS Prince of Wales until it left the area."
By David Lynch, Press Association Political Correspondent
Press Association: News
source: PA
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