Norwegian F-35As fly to intercept Russian IL-38s that were observing NATO exercises

NATO military exercises are taking place in northern Norway. Russian Ilyushin-38 anti-submarine planes tried to observe them.

Here's What We Know

Russian Il-38s, which, together with Tu-142s, are stationed at the Severomosrk-1 military base on the Kola Peninsula, approached Norway's borders. They were trying to find American and British submarines that could be taking part in NATO exercises.

After it was discovered that the IL-38s had approached Norwegian airspace, fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighters were put on alert. The Russian planes were over the Barents Sea observing NATO submarines.

The F-35s are on a NATO Quick Response Alert mission. Just over a month ago they flew from the Evenes air base in the far north to intercept a long-range radar detection aircraft, the A-50, which was escorted by the Tu-142 and Tu-95.

Source: The Barents Observer