RAF jets have been deployed in a dramatic response to a NATO alert, with flight trackers capturing their activity over Scotland. An Airbus KC2 Voyager, call sign Tartan31, took off from Brize Norton at 5.57am and was observed by Flightradar24 making multiple loops along the northern Scottish coastline.
Additionally, a Eurofighter Typhoon, call sign Phanto11, launched from RAF Lossiemouth and followed a similar pattern. The aircraft continue to patrol the area, with their exact mission remaining undisclosed. The RAF KC2 Voyager Tartan is broadcasting the squawk code 1321, indicating NATO Air Policing. Squawk codes ranging from 1301 to 1327 are designated for NATO air policing, which takes precedence in air defence situations. A scramble can occur under various circumstances, such as when an aircraft has an invalid or incorrect flight plan, loses contact with air traffic control, or fails to use its transponder correctly, reports the Mirror.
The unfolding situation in Scotland seems to be a QRA (Quick Reaction Alert), where missions are initiated to intercept and scrutinise unidentified or unauthorised aircraft breaching UK airspace. These fighter jets are on standby to react swiftly to any potential threats.
This is not the first time in recent months that RAF jets have been scrambled to respond to a threat. In November fighters were launched to intercept a Russian military aircraft flying off the east coast of the UK over the North Sea.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that two Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth were sent out to monitor a Russian Bear-F reconnaissance craft.
The plane was detected in the UK’s “area of interest” however it did not infringe sovereign airspace, according to an MoD spokesperson. The operation was part of the RAF’s Quick Reaction Alert, which maintains high readiness 24/7 to protect UK skies.
Although today's incident is yet to be confirmed to be involving Russia, it comes amid heightened readiness from NATO states. Defence voices in the UK have expressed concerns that Russia may be about to test NATO's commitment to Article 5 - the article that says an attack on one member is an attack on all.
