Russian air defence system could have shot down a French patrol plane
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The Russian S-400 air defence missile system has pointed its radar to target French maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique 2, which was on a mission over the Baltic Sea. This was reported by Le Figaro.
Here's What We Know
The incident occurred during a flight as part of NATO's submarine cable damage response mission in the Baltic Sea. To carry out its mission, the Atlantique 2 aircraft took off from Brittany with an AFP journalist on board. It spent almost five hours off the coast of Sweden and the Baltic States, checking around 200 vessels, mostly civilian. However, no suspicious vessels were detected.
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A merchant vessel in the lens of the Atlantique 2's infrared camera during a patrol of the Baltic Sea. Image: Le Figaro
During the mission, an attempt was made to interfere with the aircraft's systems through electronic warfare, and the S-400 radar system was used to track the aircraft. Colonel Guillaume Vernet, a spokesman for the French army's general staff, called such actions aggressive, although the professionalism of the French crew helped to avoid escalation.
He also noted that the Russian army was not interested in carrying out its threats, as an attack on a NATO aircraft could have caused a sudden and serious escalation in relations with the Alliance.
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A merchant vessel during the Atlantique 2 patrol. Illustration: Le Figaro
The French Minister of Defence and General Christopher Cavoli, Commander of NATO's forces in Europe, confirmed the seriousness of the incident, which, despite the prevalence of such incidents, is considered unacceptable.
The Atlantique 2 aircraft, originally designed for anti-submarine warfare, has undergone numerous upgrades, including the latest Standard 6 programme. As part of this upgrade, the search radar, sensor unit, avionics and tactical system were improved. The upgraded aircraft is capable of employing precision-guided weapons, including Paveway laser bombs, as well as the previously installed MU90 torpedoes and AM.39 Exocet anti-ship missiles.
Source: Le Figaro