In a new episode recorded in the Baltic region, Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) Su-30SM fighters and Tu-22M3 bombers were intercepted by German Eurofighter aircraft. This latest incident adds to a growing list of recurring events over the past few weeks. Just days earlier, German aircraft had intercepted a SIGINT Il-20M intelligence plane in the same region, which was flying without a flight plan and with its transponders turned off, triggering the activation of established protocols.
According to a report from the German Air Force on their social media on August 14, the incident occurred again in Baltic airspace when the Combined Air Operations Center in Uedem, responsible for monitoring the airspace of Northern Europe, provided support for Air Police deployments and detected aircraft flying without a flight plan and with their transponders off.
As has happened in other situations, German Eurofighter jets were deployed as part of Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions to intercept the aircraft in question. Upon arrival in the area, they identified Su-30SM fighters (one of the most advanced versions of the aircraft, with NATO designation “Flanker-H”) and a Tupolev Tu-22M3 bomber (NATO designation “Backfire”) from the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS).
While the Luftwaffe did not provide further details, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) specialists were able to determine some interesting information about the Su-30SMs escorting the Tu-22M3, which appeared to be a routine VKS patrol in the region. Specifically, based on the markings and registration (B/N “73” Red / RF-81734), the Su-30SM belongs to the 14th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. Another interesting detail is that during the flight, the aircraft was armed with R-73 and R-77-1 air-to-air missiles.
To date, such incidents in Baltic airspace have been occurring regularly, as reported by both NATO and the VKS. While many of these flights are in accordance with international laws, they continue to demonstrate how both the Atlantic alliance forces and the Russian Armed Forces test the reaction and response times of integrated air surveillance systems, which include ground sensors and fighter-bombers.
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