RAF jets engaged for Russian planes

RAF jets were scrambled more than 50 times in six years to intercept Russian military aircraft.

Obtained through a Freedom of Information request, the figures show there were 102 incidents of Quick Response Aircraft being launched between 2010 and 2015.

The British Ministry of Defence data indicates 50 of these launches, just under half, were in response to Russian jets — reaching a peak of 10 incidents in 2011 and nine in 2012.

In 2013, 2014 and last year, these instances dropped down to eight.

The remaining 52 launches were as a result of civilian aircraft in UK airspace that were causing concern to air traffic controllers.

Typhoon fighter squadrons and Quick Response Aircraft are launched to intercept unidentified aircraft when they cannot be identified by other means.

The ministry said that, during those six years: “All Russian military aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter UK sovereign airspace.

“The civil aircraft that were causing concern were registered in a range of countries, including those registered in the United Kingdom.”