Russian Su-27 "releases" a missile in the vicinity of RAF RC-135

[gnirtS]

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace tells MPs that on September 29 an RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint spy plane was being shadowed by two Russian Su-27s in international airspace when one of the Su-27s "released a missle in the vicinity of the Rivet Joint"

Wallace in parliament now.

- Russia investigation said "technical malfunction"
- Wallace says its not considered an escalation
- RJ flights were suspended but since resumed
- Other intercepts "within 15ft"
- Incident on Sept 29. One of the common Black Sea flights we see most days.

To me it depends on what he means by "release". That could just mean it fell off a pylon but he didn't elaborate. The RJs have had Typhoons in tow the last few days which might be related.

[pg1610]

The most important part of Ben Wallace's statement was
"The UK concurs with the Russian investigation"

Showing that both Russian and the UK (assume a of NATO) still talk at very high levels to ensure there are no escalations when things go wrong

No doubt the media and warmongers will make more of this than there actually is

[Ian in Leeds]

This explains why the RC had the typhoon escort over the Black Sea earlier this week.

Ian

[Col Nago]

Showing that both Russian and the UK (assume a of NATO) still talk at very high levels to ensure there are no escalations when things go wrong

No doubt the media and warmongers will make more of this than there actually is

They most definitely do have a constant dialogue / comms going on throughout all of this. There was a chap on R4 the other week (can't remember who now) saying this very thing.

[Fighterfoto]

Transcription of what the DefSec said:

On 29 September an unarmed RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint, an ISTAR aircraft, on routine patrol over the Black Sea was interacted with by two Russian armed Su-27 fighter aircraft. It is not unusual for aircraft to be shadowed and this day was no different. During that interaction, however, it transpired that one of the Su-27 aircraft released a missile in the vicinity of the RAF Rivet Joint beyond visual range. The total time of the interaction between Russian aircraft and the Rivet Joint was approximately 30 minutes.

The patrol completed and the aircraft returned to its base. In light of this potentially dangerous engagement, I have communicated my concerns directly to my Russian counterpart Defence Minister Shoygu and the Chief of the Defence staff in Moscow, and has done so my colleague the Chief of Defence Staff has also communicated his concerns. In my letter I made clear that the aircraft was unarmed, in international airspace, and following a pre-notified flight path. I felt it was prudent to suspend these patrols until a response was received by the Russian state.

A reply by the Russian Ministry of Defence on 10 October stated that they have conducted an investigation into the circumstances of the incident and stated it was a technical malfunction of the Su-27 fighter. They also acknowledged that the incident took place in international airspace. The UK Ministry of Defence has shared our information with Allies and after consultation I have restarted routine patrols but this time escorted by fighter aircraft.

Everything we do is considered and calibrated with regard to ongoing conflict in the region and in accordance with international law. We welcome Russia’s acknowledgement that this was in international airspace and the UK has conducted regular sorties of the RAF Rivet Joint in international airspace over the Black Sea since 2019 and we will continue to do so. For security reasons I will not provide further commentary of detail of these operations, but I want to assure the House that this incident will not prevent the UK’s support for Ukraine and resistance to Russia’s illegal invasion.

[TonyO]

Unfortunately this story will be drowned out by the departure of Truss.

Must have been nerve-whacking onboard the Rivet Joint when it all happened.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

Heard about it yesterday, 2 Typhoons escorting it at some point did not know it was due to Russian SU-27s though very scary stuff!!!

[Red-Eye-Knight]

Unfortunately this story will be drowned out by the departure of Truss.

Must have been nerve-whacking onboard the Rivet Joint when it all happened.

Totally agree with you on both points.

[Vulture 01]

Huge respect to our aircrews who just get on with the job, despite being 'interacted' by Russian aircraft.

[gnirtS]

The only thing i disagree with is "the patrol completed". A playback of that flight seems to show the RJ cuts short its eastbound leg significantly (having completed several previous) and RTBs.

Its reassuring that no matter what is going on there do seem to be grown ups in the command chain on both sides to not let something like this escalate.