TURKISH FIGHTER JETS INTERCEPT RUSSIAN SPY PLANE
Ankara, 21 Dzulhijjah 1434/26 Oktober 2013 (MINA) – In a rare incident, two Turkish F16 fighter jets have intercepted a Russian military spy plane above the international waters between the two countries in the Black Sea, the Turkish army announced on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Turkish army explained that: “The Turkish fighter jets scrambled on Tuesday afternoon to prevent a potential violation of Turkish airspace after a Russian Ilyushin II-20 plane was detected flying in parallel to the Turkish coast.”
The statement added that: “The Turkish aircraft monitored the Russian plane until it left the area heading to the Bulgarian border.” Middle East Minitor (MEMO) reported as monitored by (MINA) Mi’raj News Agency, Friday.
It was not clear why Turkey intercepted the IL-20, which is a reconnaissance aircraft that was manufactured in the late 1960s during the Soviet era. It was also not clear what the plane was doing above the international waters.
Russian newspaper RIA NOVOSTI said that Japan and Sweden have reported similar interceptions in the past of Il-20 planes flying close to their airspace.
The General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces said in a statement on Wednesday that two F-16 jets were scrambled on Tuesday afternoon to prevent a potential violation of Turkish airspace after a Russian Ilyushin II-20 plane was detected flying in parallel to Turkish coast.
The Turkish aircraft monitored the Russian plane until it left the area heading to the Bulgarian border, the statement added.
It is not clear why the Russian plane approached the Turkish airspace as the Russian Defense Ministry has not yet commented on the incident.
The Ilyushin Il-20 (NATO designation Coot-A) is a Soviet-era reconnaissance aircraft designed to carry out a variety of electronic and communications intelligence missions.
Around 20 Il-20’s were reportedly built between 1969 and 1976, but their remaining number in service with the Russian Air Force is unknown.
Japan and Sweden reported in the past similar interceptions of Il-20 planes flying close to their airspace.(T/P012/P04)
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
