UK fighter jets intercepted a Russian maritime patrol aircraft over the Norwegian Sea after it repeatedly approached a carrier strike group, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The aircraft, identified as a Russian Bear-F, flew at low altitude and "unnecessarily close" to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier and is believed to have dropped 10 sonobuoys into the water.
The MoD described Moscow's activity as "unsafe and unprofessional." British forces attempted to contact the Russian plane on international frequencies without success. Two F-35 jets were then deployed from the HMS Prince of Wales to escort the Bear-F away from the group.
The UK's Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed off Iceland under NATO command, comprising 1,500 British personnel. The group includes the HMS Prince of Wales, Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan, F-35 jets, and various helicopters, supported by the RFA Tidespring replenishment tanker. This deployment marks the first time NATO has conducted air policing operations from a European aircraft carrier. The sonobuoys, believed to have been dropped by the Russian aircraft, are monitoring devices that use sonar to detect submarines and other vessels.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis, who visited British forces on board the HMS Prince of Wales, stated that "deployments like this, supported by allies and partners including Iceland, that improve our deterrence and defence as part of Nato." He further commented that "the threat from Russia exists in every domain, under the water, on the water, on the land, in the sky, in space and in cyberspace as well."
Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton previously warned that Russia has been "probing, challenging, testing our defences," and "raising the stakes and risks crossing a line." NATO has also issued warnings that Russia could be prepared to use military force by 2030.
This incident occurs as the UK government recently published its defense investment plan, including a £15 billion increase in military spending. However, the plan has faced criticism from opposition MPs and military figures who argue the investment is insufficient to meet the scale of the threat posed by Russia. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge highlighted Russia's recent actions as underscoring the need for clear funding for the Defence Investment Plan.
In separate but related actions, the government announced sanctions on seven individuals and two organizations for their involvement in the development of chemical weapons used in the 2018 Salisbury Novichok attack and the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2024.