Tu-160 supersonic strategic bombers – the largest and heaviest combat aircraft ever to enter operational service – flew a 16-hour mission to the north of Shetland off the UK coast
NATO fighter jets have been scrambled after Russian nuclear bombers flew close to the UK coast.
Russia launched nuclear drills off directly to the north of Shetland this week. Tu-160 nuclear-capable bombers flew a 16-hour mission over the the Barents and Norwegian Seas.
F-35 fifth-generation fighters from NATO intercepted the Russian intercontinental strategic bombers and their escort of MiG-31 interceptor aircraft.
The Norwegian Sea lies directly to the north of Shetland, the UK’s most northerly island grouping, between Norway and Iceland.
Tu-160s practiced in-flight refuelling over the neutral waters between Norway and Iceland, the defence ministry in Moscow revealed earlier today.
The Tupolev Tu-160 – NATO reporting name ‘Blackjack’ – is the largest and heaviest combat aircraft ever to enter operational service.
The strategic military bombers can carry 45 tonnes of weapons in their internal bomb bays including both nuclear and conventional long-range cruise missiles.
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