Royal Air Force fighter jets had to race to intercept Russian planes off the Fife coast for the third time in just six days last night.
The Daily Record reports that armed Typhoons raced from their temporary base in Leuchars, Fife, on Thursday evening after foreign planes were spotted near UK airspace.
A land tanker from RAF Brize Norton was also placed on standby.
Concerns were raised as the foreign aircraft - a Russian Tu-142 Bear F Anti-Submarine Warfare and Maritime Patrol aircraft - failed to engage with air traffic controllers.
The failure to make contact resulted in other planes in the area being rerouted.
Air Officer Commanding 11 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Ian Duguid, said: “For the third time inside a week, the RAF has scrambled to defend the interests of the UK and NATO.
“It’s a sign of our continued resolve to work effectively with our NATO partners at all times and demonstrates the efficiency and resilience of our personnel, aircraft and systems.
“The whole process has its roots in the Battle of Britain system perfected by Air Chief Marshal, Lord Dowding in 1940. 80 years on, it remains as relevant as ever.”
The Fife-based jets were also called into action on Monday after two Russian Tu-160 Blackjacks were spotted.
We reported on how shocked residents mistook the ‘massive bang’ as the powerful jets took off from the base as an earthquake.
Last night's mission follows a similar incident on Saturday when the RAF Typhoons were once again forced to intercept two Tu-142 Bear F planes off the Scots coast.
