Portugal scrambles F-16s to intercept Russian bombers for second time

Portugal scrambled F-16 fighter jets for the second time this week to intercept Russian bombers in international airspace off the coast of the southern European country on October 31, a new sign of unusual Russian activity near NATO’s southern borders.

Portuguese Defense Minister Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco told reporters that his country's fighter jets successfully intercepted, identified and escorted two Russian aircraft out of international airspace under Portuguese jurisdiction.

Portuguese Air Force F-16. (Photo: wingsovereurope.com)

“This move means that the system has once again come into play… The Air Force is ready to carry out these missions whenever NATO air command requests it,” he affirmed.

Portuguese media reported that the two Russian planes were Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bombers and they flew near the approach path of commercial aircraft to Lisbon international airport.

On October 29, NATO aircraft, including those from Portugal, tracked Russian aircraft over the Atlantic, Black Sea and Baltic Sea. Although the Russian aircraft did not violate NATO airspace, according to Reuters, such a large number of sorties and the Russian aircraft's advance so far south is unusual./.

According to VNA