Russian military planes 'disrupted UK aviation'

[Jimbuna]

I suppose Putin has to do something to convince the people back in Russia he is retaliating or fighting back at the west and the sanctions.

Russian military planes flying near UK airspace caused "disruption to civil aviation" on Wednesday, the Foreign Office has said.

It said the two Russian planes did not enter UK airspace, but the manoeuvres were "part of an increasing pattern of out-of-area operations" by Russia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31049952

[ikalugin]

I don't think that we cover this much.

[Jimbuna]

Possibly closer to the truth

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority, which regulates aviation, said he was "not sure where this idea has come from" that there had been disruption to civil aviation.

He suggested it may have been the two British Typhoons which caused any disruption as they may have flown through airspace near Bournemouth, southern England, where there is a small civilian airport.

"It was probably two Typhoons that were scrambled to intercept that caused some disruption," he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/britain-summon...183747141.html

[ikalugin]

So maybe we are not all that evil after all.

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by ikalugin

So maybe we are not all that evil after all.

But your aircraft were the reason the Typhoons had to scramble in the first place. So it's not that easy.
Though I also don't consider it to be "evil". Stuff like that happens frequently on both sides if my info is right.

[Oberon]

It's the first time, at least this side of 2000, that I'm aware of that Bears have gone for a channel jaunt though. Surprised they had the range for it. Quite the Tour de Britain really, down the Irish coast, through the Channel and then out into the North Sea again presumably. Although how they can go through the Straits of Dover without penetrating UK airspace is confusing.

EDIT: Ah, just read the article again, they turned back in the Channel and went back up through the Irish sea, presumably were at the edge of their operational limit.

[ikalugin]

Worst time of the year to go sight seeing around the UK though.

[STEED]

Big deal, another slow news day in the UK.

[Skybird]

I really wonder what should be demonstrated, trained, proven or tested by flights like this, into such locations. In case of a big war with Russia - heavy bombers trying to survive making it to the channel..? C'mon. In wartimes, they would be intercepted far, far away from 6 mile zones - they would get shot down as early and far away as possible. Maybe even already on the Russian side of the frontline.

The Channel is not the Eastern Baltic or the North Cape.

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Skybird

I really wonder what should be demonstrated, trained, proven or tested by flights like this, into such locations. In case of a big war with Russia - heavy bombers trying to survive making it to the channel..? C'mon. In wartimes, they would be intercepted far, far away from 6 mile zones - they would get shot down as early and far away as possible. Maybe even already on the Russian side of the frontline.

The Channel is not the Eastern Baltic or the North Cape.

I think there are 3 reasons for that.
First is that Putin wants to show he's still there to both NATO and his own people.
Second they can clock the reaction time of NATO air defenses.
Third the bombers can have electronic reconnaissance equipment to have a look at Britain's coast or just to practice operating it in a "live environment".

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I think there are 3 reasons for that.
First is that Putin wants to show he's still there to both NATO and his own people.
Second they can clock the reaction time of NATO air defenses.
Third the bombers can have electronic reconnaissance equipment to have a look at Britain's coast or just to practice operating it in a "live environment".

Fourth: The public inquest into the death of Alexander Litvenenko started this week.

[mapuc]

Some question

1. Did Russia/Sovjet do the same during the cold war ?

2. If yes in question 1. Has there been any changes in the way they act ?

Markus

Originally Posted by mapuc

Some question

1. Did Russia/Sovjet do the same during the cold war ?

2. If yes in question 1. Has there been any changes in the way they act ?

Markus

1. Yes, all the time.

2. It largely stopped for a period after the fall of the Soviet Union, and has gradually climbed back up again. The degree to which this reflects changing political or military concerns is open to debate. I suspect that a lot of it is simply down to the military (east and west) liking to have something to keep themselves occupied, to (supposedly) justify their enormous budgets. Even in the darkest Cold War days, the Soviets knew their aircraft were going to be intercepted, and also knew that they would be sitting ducks if they did anything overtly warlike. It probably helped with ElInt, but terms of actual military significance, it probably amounts to little more than ceremonial display - an airborne version of this:

[nikimcbee]

By UK Aviation, you mean the Buna Aeroplane collection right?

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

By UK Aviation, you mean the Buna Aeroplane collection right?

Exactly, in order to get a die-cast Bear, he'll need a new cabinet which will be a disruption to the Buna Aeroplane collection.

Do they even do die-cast Tu-95s?