finance
UK Jets Intercept Russian Plane Near Carrier in Norwegian Sea
Two British F-35 jets intercepted a Russian patrol aircraft that flew close to the HMS Prince of Wales carrier group. The UK Defence Ministry called the Thursday encounter unsafe and unprofessional.
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Two UK F-35 jets launched from the HMS Prince of Wales intercepted a Russian patrol aircraft that repeatedly approached the carrier group in the Norwegian Sea last week. The Russian plane passed the carrier at low altitude and dropped sonar devices nearby before the British jets escorted it until it left the area, the Defence Ministry said Monday.
A ministry spokesperson described the Thursday activity as unsafe and unprofessional. The carrier is leading a NATO mission to defend the North Atlantic against Russian threats, the ministry said.
Jarvis and Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir visited the carrier over the weekend. Jarvis said the deployment improves deterrence as part of NATO. Gunnarsdottir called the presence a clear demonstration of NATO's enhanced role in the region.
The mission follows last week's announcement of a 10-year Defence Investment Plan that aims to spend almost £300 billion over four years. The plan adds £15 billion to defence spending through 2030, the year UK intelligence has suggested Russia could attack a NATO country.
