French rafale successfully intercepted Russian reconnaissance planes over Baltic

< img src = "/uploads/blogs/39/18/ib-fcedt4ctb_16222475d.jpg" Alt = "French RaFale successfully intercepted Russian reconnaissance aircraft over Baltic"/> < P > Two Russian Aircraft Il-20M and IL-78, which violated the international flight rules, were intercepted by French fighters Rafale near Latvia borders, reports zona-militar.com.

France General Staff confirmed the incident on February 17 as part of air control missions conducted by French fighters in the region. ~ < P > According to the report, a Russian military aircraft performed a reconnaissance flight without proper filling in the flight plan and with transponder.

< p > This violation has started a rapid response protocol (QRA) that forced French fighters to respond.

< P > After intercepting Rafale fighter identified the aircraft as an IL-20M COOT-A, an option intended for Sigint/Comint missions (signal intelligence and communication intelligence). Russian Air Force often use IL-20m to monitor NATO's armed forces response time.

< p > The incident occurred only a few weeks after a similar situation in mid-January, when the French government reported that the C-400 Air POP system of the Russian Armed Forces took at the sight of the Patrol aircraft of the Navy of France atlantique 2 when it was flying over the Baltic.

< P > It was previously reported that Russia has created a new unit in its military intelligence (GRU) for secret operations in Europe and beyond. This was reported by Western intelligence representatives, which were quoted by The Wall Street Journal on February 15.