Two Typhoon fast jets were scrambled from a Scots RAF base after an aircraft failed to make contact.
The civilian aircraft hadn’t replied to air traffic control and the RAF at Lossiemouth in Moray were alerted today, Wednesday, April 2, and sent the planes into the sky to investigate.
Eventually communication was established between air traffic control and the civlillian plane, allowing the RAF jets to be stood down.
An image shared by the RAF shows a pair of airborne Typhoon jets.
An RAF Lossiemouth spokesperson said: “We can confirm that RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon’s were scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth today after a civilian aircraft failed to make contact with air traffic control.
“Communications between the aircraft and ATC were re-established and no further action was required.”
The RAF is on high alert after two incidents last year when jets were scrambled due to Russian reconnaissance planes being spotted in the sky over Scotland and England.
In November, two Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth monitored a Russian Bear-F aircraft as it flew over the North Sea, the Ministry of Defence said.
The Russian plane had been detected in the UK’s area of interest but at no time was it able to enter UK sovereign airspace.
In September, it was confirmed that RAF jets were sent out to intercept a Russian aircraft “operating near the UK”. Supported by a Voyager from RAF Brize Norton, two Typhoons were scrambled from the RAF air base at Lossiemouth.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said the aircraft had been deployed to intercept two Russian Bear-F aircraft found flying near the UK. The jets were launched under NATO command and, as reported by the Mirror, the aircraft continued to be monitored as it passed through international airspace.
The Typhoon is an agile multi-role combat aircraft, capable of being deployed on a variety of air operations, including air policing, peace support and high-intensity conflict.
However, its most essential role remains the provision of quick reaction alert (QRA) for the UK and Falkland Islands airspace.
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