Netherlands F-35 fighters intercept Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea

Netherlands F-35 fighter jets have intercepted Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea, the Ministry of Defence reports.

The QRA was activated twice. In the first flight, 2 aircraft were identified: an AN-72 COALER transport aircraft and an SU-24MR Fencer E. This is a reconnaissance aircraft that collects electronic intelligence. In the afternoon, the QRA worked again. This time it was an IL-20 Kut A reconnaissance aircraft.

Netherlands F-35s remotely escorted the aircraft over international waters to the border of NATO's area of responsibility.

‘Two Netherlands F-35s made their first intercepts from Estonia last Friday. The Netherland's military identified and escorted three Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea,’ the statement said.

Since the beginning of this month, Dutch F-35s have been guarding NATO airspace on the eastern border of NATO territory. Part of this task is the so-called Quick Reaction Alert (QRA). Two F-35s take off within minutes to intercept another aircraft. This happens, for example, when an aircraft approaches NATO airspace without identifying itself.