UK jets 'chase Russian bombers' Norway says Russia has increased military flights in the Arctic The UK's Royal Air Force has launched fighter jets to intercept eight Russian military planes flying in airspace patrolled by Nato, UK officials say. Four RAF F3 Tornado aircraft were scrambled in response to the Russian action, the UK's defence ministry said. The Russian planes - said to be long-range bombers - had earlier been followed by Norwegian F16 jets. Russia recently revived a Cold War-era practice of flying bomber jets on long-range patrols. A Norwegian officer, Lt Col John Inge Oegland, told the BBC the Russian Tupolev Tu-95 Bear bombers flew in international airspace from the Barents Sea to the Atlantic, before turning back. Two Norwegian F-16s shadowed them on Thursday morning and another two went up later, he said. There have been several similar incidents in recent months, Lt-Col Oegland added. "Norway is following the increased Russian activity in the far north with interest," he told the BBC News website. He said the Russian flights were not causing alarm in Norway. "Our systems are adequate", he said, when asked whether Norway was bolstering its security in the area.
Two new RAF Typhoon jets shadowed a Russian bomber heading for Britain, the Ministry of Defence has said. The jets were scrambled on Friday 17 August to identify the Russian aircraft, which turned back before it reached UK skies. The MoD said: "RAF Typhoons from Numbers 3(F) and XI Squadrons launched to shadow a Russian Bear-H aircraft over the North Atlantic Ocean." The BBC's Gordon Corera said the incident was not a security threat. Active standby He said a similar incident occurred in July, but that this represented a new, more provocative Russian foreign policy. Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, has recently resumed the Soviet-era practice of sending bomber aircraft on long-range flights.
Britain's £67m Typhoons were only put on active standby in July. Typhoons, the RAF's newest fast jet aircraft - which are based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire - cover the UK Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) commitment together with Tornado F3 aircraft based at RAF Leeming and RAF Leuchars. Over the next nine months, the Typhoons will progressively replace Tornado F3s, the aircraft which have performed this duty for many years. The Typhoon was designed during the Cold War, when European leaders looked to the Soviet Union as their main threat from the air. The RAF has ordered 144 Typhoons, which can accelerate from standing to take-off in under seven seconds. They were developed by companies in the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy.
Russia is really ratcheting up it's actions. Armed patrols in the Arctic, increased air patrols, rebuilding its military, assassinations. I'm kind of curious if this is just trying to rebuild its international prestige, or if they're trying to be very intimidating for other reasons.
It's a wee bit stupid really. America warmongering on one side, and Russia warmongering on the other. Britain grew out of arms races and the like almost a century ago
Well we can pretty much kiss this sweet earth goodbye if a war breaks out between Russia and the US. If Australia follows them into this, I swear on my life, Im moving to Switzerland.
I'm not worried about the US and Russia going at it. I'm worried about Russia and China fighting. If China's economic growth slows down drastically or enters a recession, they'll risk economic ruin from the large debts they're building up, and the people will demand action. Siberia has trillions in minerals, lumber and oil. And China's army is superior to the Russians. And China's economic picture isn't all rosy. The recent scandals and recalls of toys, food, and clothing is a growing disaster waiting to explode. Russia should be focusing on China right now, not Europe and the US.
Either way. Any major conflict between any international super powers is going to be enough to plummet the world into a bit of a state imo. Whether it's US v Russia, Russia v China, China v India, Russia v India, whatever. Alot of economys would suffer greatly. Alot of havock would be wreaked.
None of it will be a problem when I take over, because there will be no countries, and idiots with powerful weapons will be abolished. That fad has gone far enough... Thus says your Emperor!
Oh definitely. That's why I'm not worried about the US, India, China (currently), or even Russia starting a major war. They all have too much to lose right now. But if China or Russia experience a depression or start having their people get uppity, all bets are off. Because the problem with dictatorships is how far some of them are willing to go to keep power at any cost.
