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Syrian Warplanes Test Defenses at British Air Base in Cyprus
Two RAF jets were scrambled from their base in Cyprus to urgently investigate Syrian planes that had crossed into international airspace, it has emerged.The Ministry of Defense confirmed that unidentified planes legally crossed into Cypriot skies from the east of the country last Monday. But it is understood the behaviour of the aircraft raised suspicions at RAF Akrotiri, less than 200 miles from Syria, prompting the rapid response. The Syrian bombers refused to respond to repeated attempts by the control tower at the UK's Akrotiri air base to contact them. The aircraft retreated before any action was taken by the two RAF air-defence Typhoons. A pair of Turkish F-16s are also believed to have been launched in support of the investigation from their base in Incirlik, Turkey. The Syrian planes are believed to have been Russian-made Sukhoi Su-24s, a heavily-armed fighter bomber that can reach Cyprus, 200 miles from Syria, in just 15 minutes. A spokesman for the MoD said: 'The MoD can confirm that Typhoon Air Defence Aircraft operated from RAF Akrotiri on Monday to investigate unidentified aircraft to the east of Cyprus; the aircraft were flying legally in international airspace and no intercept was required.' Posted by: Sherry 2013-09-09 |
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