defense
Bundeswehr discovers Russian military aircraft near Rügen – and sends out Eurofighter
A Eurofighter aircraft at Hanover Airport
© Ronny Hartmann / AFP
The Bundeswehr is observing a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea region. To do this, two Eurofighter aircraft were sent out until, after a short escort, he turned back “to the east”.
A Russian Ilyushin 20 reconnaissance aircraft was once again spotted over the Baltic Sea flying without a recognition signal. According to the Air Force, this triggered the start of the alarm squad at the Laage Air Base in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on Tuesday.
The Russian military aircraft was “identified in international airspace off Rügen and briefly accompanied before it turned back east,” according to a statement from the Air Force on Platform X (formerly Twitter).
Alarmrotte consists of two Eurofighters
The plane was flying without a transponder signal. There had already been an almost identical incident in April 2023.
The alarm squad usually consists of two Eurofighters, which rise within a very short time to check possible threats or, if necessary, ward them off. However, the mutual checks are largely routine.
According to NATO standards, the alarm squad of Eurofighters normally has to be in the air within 15 minutes. According to the Bundeswehr, the point at which an armed attacker would be fought is decided at NATO level.