Typhoon Jets from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland have conducted a test of Quick Reaction Alert capabilities. The aircraft scrambled as part of Exercise Seihan River in response to an aircraft simulating loss of communication and deviating from its flight plan.

Exercises of this nature are conducted throughout the year to provide training and test the tactics and procedures of the National Air and Space Operations Centre, RAF Battle Space Managers, the Police force’s Special Operations 15 and the Department for Transport. The Exercise also involves Voyager Air-to-Air refuelling aircraft based at RAF Brize Norton, which support the Typhoons as they would for a live scramble.

The RAF’s primary responsibility is to defend the UK’s airspace, 24/7, 365 days a year. Today and every day, just as during the Battle of Britain, the UK maintains the highest level of readiness to respond to threats. UK Quick Reaction Alert operations fulfil two distinct missions. Firstly, it provides an immediate national air counter-terrorism response to a threat. Secondly, under NATO command and control, it provides an immediate response to unauthorised airspace incursions from other states, ensuring that the integrity of NATO airspace is preserved.

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