Two British F-35Bs intercepted a Russian Tu-142 bomber after it failed to identify itself over the Norwegian Sea, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

F-35B Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighters were launched from the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, to intercept a Russian Tu-142 Bear-F/J maritime patrol aircraft over the Norwegian Sea last week, the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed on Monday.

The Bear-F aircraft—a derivative of Russia’s popular Tu-95 Bear turboprop strategic bomber—conducted multiple approaches near the UK’s Carrier Strike Group in the Arctic region, and also deployed more than a dozen sonobuoys near the conventionally powered aircraft carrier on Thursday, the MoD announced. It described the Russian actions in the Norwegian Sea as “unsafe and unprofessional.”

The Russian military regularly deploys Tu-95 and Tu-142 aircraft on patrols in the Arctic as a message to the West that Moscow views it as its backyard.

About Russia’s Tu-142 Reconnaissance Aircraft

• Year Introduced: 1972
• Number Built: 100
• Length: 53.08 m (174 ft)
• Wingspan: 50 m (164 ft)
• Weight:
  • Empty: 90,000 kg (198,416 lb)
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 185,000 kg (407,855 lb)
• Engine(s): Four Kuznetsov NK-12MP turboprop engines producing roughly 15,000 shp each, driving 8-bladed contra-rotating propellers.
• Top Speed: 925 km/h (575 mph)
• Range: 
  • Combat Range: 6,500 km (3,510 nmi)
  • Ferry Range: 12,000 km (6,479 nmi)
• Loadout: Tail turret with twin 23mm cannons; internal bays holding up to 8,800 kg of ASW ordnance including sonobuoys, naval mines, torpedoes (AT-1, AT-2), and anti-submarine missiles (APR-2, APR-3).
• Crew: 11–13, depending on mission

Derived from the Tu-95 bomber and visually similar at a glance, the Tu-142 was first introduced in 1972. More than a half-century later, the venerable bomber remains in active service primarily with the Russian Naval Aviation branch. Exactly 100 of the aircraft were built between 1968 and 1994 at Soviet aviation plants in Kuibyshev and Taganrog. The Kremlin hasn’t confirmed how many are still in service, but according to open-source intelligence, most have been retired, with only between 10 and 22 currently in active service around the world. A handful of Tu-142s were transferred to India during the 1980s, but the last of these were retired in 2017, making Russia the world’s only current operator of the aging bomber.

Most of Russia’s Tu-142s are operated from the Olenya Air Base on the Kola Peninsula, approximately 60 miles from the Finnish and Norwegian borders.

Russian Aircraft Didn’t Reply to NATO Calls

During the approach near the carrier on Thursday, the Tu-142 did not respond to British radio calls. As a result, two F-35Bs from 809 Naval Air Squadron were launched to intercept and escort the maritime patrol aircraft away from the carrier strike group.

“While operating in the Norwegian Sea on Operation FIRECREST, the UK’s Carrier Strike Group was repeatedly approached by a Russian ‘Bear-F’ maritime patrol aircraft. The Bear-F passed at low altitude and unnecessarily close to HMS Prince of Wales and dropped a large number of sonobuoys in proximity to the carrier. This activity was unsafe and unprofessional. The Russian aircraft was intercepted and escorted by two UK F-35 jets from HMS Prince of Wales until it left the area,” an MoD spokesperson told Navy Lookout.

The sonobuoys, which can float on the water, are sonar-enabled to detect submarines and other vessels.

The encounter came just days before UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis visited the carrier and acknowledged the increasing threat from Russia in the High North.

“We live in an increasingly dangerous and uncertain time, and it’s deployments like this, supported by allies and partners including Iceland, that improve our deterrence and defence as part of NATO,” Jarvis said. “We are investing £298 billion [$400 billion] over the next four years to strengthen readiness and ensure our people have the kit and technology they need.”

Russia Is Readying for a New Cold War in the Arctic

NATO has responded to Russian encroachment by increasing its presence in the Arctic region, and that included the first air policing operations conducted from an aircraft carrier.

“UK F-35 jets are patrolling the skies above Iceland and the High North from HMS Prince of Wales to help protect NATO allies against increasing Russian threats. This is the first time NATO has conducted air policing operations from a European aircraft carrier,” the MoD announced on Monday.

The flagship aircraft carrier is being escorted by the Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan. It is embarked with the F-35B, the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the multirole stealth fighter, along with “Merlin” and “Wildcat” maritime patrol helicopters. Italian aerospace giant Leonardo manufactures both naval rotary-wing aircraft.

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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