High-level war-games underway between RAF and US Air Force jets off Scots coast

Kris Gourlay

17 September 2024 at 0:36 pm·1-min read

RAF Typhoon fighter jets were involved in the exercise — -Credit: (Image: PETROS KARADJIAS/AFP via Getty Images)

A "large-scale" military exercise including the RAF and US Air Force is underway with flight activity spotted off the east coast of Scotland.

Exercise Cobra Warrior will see around 90 military aircraft, including elite Typhoon fighter jets, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft, involved in the manoeuvres across the skies over the next few weeks.

There will be "intense aerial activity" over the North Sea throughout the exercise and plane spotters noticed a buzz of activity in the airspace above East Lothian on Tuesday, reports Edinburgh Live.

Defence experts warned the large exercise involves aircraft engaging in "high-energy combat manoeuvres" as plane spotters

US Air Force Chinook helicopters and a Boeing KC Stratotanker, a military refuelling aircraft, were also seen southeast of Aberdeen above the North Sea.

Details disclosed by the Civil Aviation Authority revealed the aircraft involved are conducting air-to-air combat radar profiles, supersonic flight, radar and communications jamming and air combat serials.

The exercise began on September 16 and is set to conclude on October 4.

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