Breaking news
Royal Air Force launched biggest defense exercise in 30 years.
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World
Defense & Security News - United Kingdom |
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| Royal Air Force launched biggest defense exercise in 30 years | |||
The
Royal Air Force (RAF) has launched its biggest defence exercise since
the Cold War over the UK's skies in preparation for a mass enemy air attack
on the country. More than 30 aircraft participated in the drill, including
20 More than 30 aircraft participated in the drill, including 20 Typhoons
and Tornado fighters as well as E-3D AWACS, Sentinel
R1 and Beechcraft Shadow R1 surveillance aircraft. The defence
war game lasted for a day and took place over the northeast of England
earlier this month. |
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 No. 31 Squadron RAF's Tornado GR4 fighter aircraft (Credit: RAF) |
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The exercise, called
Rising Panther, has been perceived by experts as a reaction to Russia's
increasing military provocation.
In January 2015, two Russian Tupolev Tu-95s were intercepted close to UK airspace by the RAF, causing disruption to civil aviation. It was the second time in three months that the Russian giant bombers were intercepted by the RAF In the training missions, conducted earlier this month, Tornado strike aircraft arriving from Norway in a “mass” attack were intercepted by a team of Typhoon fighters from several locations in the North East of England and Scotland, co-ordinated through ground control. The exercises will now be conducted up to six times a year, said the RAF. “Due to
our continuing commitment to operations overseas, this is the first
time we have had the full spectrum of our capability operating together
at the same time in a realistic, opposed, environment,” said
Wing Commander Andy Coe through the official RAF News portal. |
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