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BULGARIAN MILITARY
Four NATO fighter jets—two German Air Force Eurofighters and two Swedish Air Force Gripens—intercepted a pair of Russian jets near Latvia’s air border over the Baltic Sea. According to the German publication Bild, such incidents crop up almost weekly.
A representative of the German Air Force explained that these North Atlantic Alliance planes took off to establish contact with Russian pilots approaching one of the bloc’s countries. The Russians were likely conducting flights as part of the Russian fleet’s exercises in the Baltic.
Interestingly, the Russian planes had their transponders turned off and ignored radio requests. Moreover, the flight plan of the Russian aircraft was not communicated in advance, a standard procedure for airspace movement over the Baltic, the spokesperson added.
When German and Swedish planes recently took to the skies to investigate, they discovered Russian Su-30 fighter jets operating with radio silence, ignoring all signals. Despite this, the Russian pilots showed no signs of aggression and returned to Russian airspace, concluding the NATO mission.
A German Air Force spokesperson noted that sightings of uncommunicative Russian fighter jets in international airspace over the Baltic have become a weekly occurrence. Typically, these incidents are not investigated unless there is aggressive behavior or the jets do not quickly return to their airspace.
The Baltic region appears to be a hotspot for Russian pilots practicing radio silence. This behavior isn’t new. In April 2020, NATO fighter jets intercepted Russian Su-27 fighters and an Il-20 reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea. These Russian aircraft flew near NATO airspace without filing flight plans or communicating with air traffic control, actions seen as provocative and increasing the risk of mid-air collisions.
During these intercepts, it’s not unusual for Russian pilots to stay silent and ignore radio calls from NATO pilots. This silence can be seen as a deliberate move to test NATO’s response times and procedures. It adds a layer of complexity to the interception process, forcing NATO pilots to rely on visual identification and other methods to ensure the security of their airspace.
These events are part of a larger trend of increased Russian military activity near NATO borders since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. In response, NATO has ramped up its air policing missions and boosted the readiness of its forces in Eastern Europe. This radio silence by Russian pilots is perceived as a form of psychological warfare, aimed at showing Russia’s readiness to challenge NATO airspace and test its defenses.
Interestingly, this tactic isn’t unique to the Russians. There have been instances where American aircraft have also gone silent during intercepts. A notable example occurred in April 2021, when Russian fighter jets intercepted a US Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft over the Pacific Ocean near the Russian Far East. The American plane didn’t respond to radio calls from the Russian interceptors, escalating tensions between the two nations.
In June 2019, a significant encounter took place when Russian Su-27 fighter jets intercepted a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The American plane was cruising in international airspace but was notably close to Russian territory. Despite multiple attempts by the Russian pilots to establish radio communication, the U.S. aircraft remained unresponsive.
These encounters are part of a broader pattern of military interactions between Russia and NATO nations. Both sides frequently conduct flights near each other’s borders, often without radio communication, to showcase their military prowess and readiness. The decision to forego radio contact during such intercepts is typically a calculated move to protect sensitive information and ensure operational security.