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BULGARIAN MILTARY
Video from the cockpit of a fighter jet captured an interesting incident, according to some, over the Gulf of Finland. On social network X, the account that shared the video claims the footage shows a dangerously close maneuver by a Finnish Boeing F/A-18 [assumed to be Finnish, not proven] crossing the path in front of the nose of a Russian Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker-C fighter jet.
The video starts directly with the dangerous maneuver. Over the waters of the Gulf of Finland, a fighter appeared to cross the Su-30’s path, flying in front of its nose, and at a very close distance from each other. Then leveled a horizontal position at a further distance from the Russian fighter. A second crossing followed by the Finnish F-18 in front of the nose of the Su-30, but this time at a much greater distance.
“Russian Su-30SM gets gunsights on a cheeky [Finnish?] F-18 somewhere possibly over the Gulf of Finland,” wrote the X account. One of the X accounts under the video commented that the video shows the time of aerial dogfights. “I have become increasingly persuaded in recent months that, contrary to current ‘received wisdom,’ the era of the fighter vs. fighter ‘dogfight’ is not as passé as many are inclined to believe. In a great power ‘big war,’ the battlefield may very well be significantly expanded by the standards of previous wars, but I suspect ‘closing with the enemy’ will remain very important for some time to come.”
One of the primary reasons why it is considered a dangerous maneuver if a fighter jet flies dangerously close to the nose of another fighter is the risk of a mid-air collision. The high speeds at which fighter jets operate leave very little room for error, and even a slight miscalculation can result in catastrophic consequences for both aircraft involved.
Another significant danger is the potential for wake turbulence. When a jet flies closely in front of another, it can create powerful air disturbances that can destabilize the trailing aircraft. This turbulence can cause the following jet to lose control, leading to a possible crash.
Additionally, such maneuvers can interfere with the pilot’s ability to maintain situational awareness. When a jet is flying close to the nose of another, it can obstruct the pilot’s view, making it difficult to monitor other aircraft, ground features, or potential threats. This can severely compromise the safety of the mission.
The psychological impact on the pilots involved should not be underestimated. High-stress situations, such as having another jet nearby, can lead to increased anxiety and impaired decision-making. This heightened stress can reduce a pilot’s ability to respond effectively to other potential hazards.
Finally, these dangerous maneuvers can escalate tensions between military forces. Such actions are often perceived as aggressive or provocative, potentially leading to diplomatic incidents or even armed conflict. Maintaining safe distances is crucial for preventing misunderstandings and ensuring peace between nations.
In addition to the Finnish F-18, NATO has deployed various aircraft to ensure the security of the Gulf of Finland, a strategically significant area due to its proximity to Russia and several NATO member states. One of the primary aircraft used for this purpose is the Boeing E-3 Sentry, commonly known as AWACS [Airborne Warning and Control System]. Another key aircraft in NATO’s arsenal for guarding the Gulf of Finland is the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
Beyond the E-3 Sentry and F-35, NATO leverages the impressive Eurofighter Typhoon. This agile, twin-engine multirole fighter is essential for both air superiority and ground attack roles among several NATO member countries. The Typhoon’s presence is critical for maintaining a strong defensive stance in the Gulf of Finland. Similarly, NATO deploys the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, a cornerstone asset in the region. Additionally, they utilize the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, an unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] that provides persistent surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
In a recent incident on June 15, Finnish authorities reported that a Russian military aircraft had intruded into Finnish airspace. Simultaneously, Sweden also reported an airspace violation by a Russian plane.
Upon further investigation into the Finnish airspace breach, the Finnish Border Guard revealed that four Russian aircraft were involved. Authorities suspect that one of these planes entered Finnish airspace for approximately two minutes, penetrating 2.5 kilometers into Finnish territory.
A video released by the Russian Defense Ministry on Tuesday depicted two strategic bombers being escorted by Russian fighter jets in the Gulf of Finland. At one point in the video, a Finnish Hornet fighter jet is also visible. “The environment looks like the southern coast of Finland, and no other country has Hornet fighters here, so I dare say it’s a Finnish Hornet,” noted military expert Marko Eklund.