Germany Scrambles Eurofighters to Intercept Russian Reconnaissance Aircraft

Germany scrambled Eurofighter jets to intercept a Russian reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea.

Handelsblatt reported the news.

The two fighters took off from Rostock-Laage air base after a plane without a flight plan or radio communication was detected in international airspace.

According to the German Air Force, it was a Russian Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft, which was visually identified.

The location of the interception was not specified, nor was it confirmed whether the plane violated NATO airspace.

Recently, three Russian MiG-31 interceptors entered Estonian airspace near Vaindloo Island without permission and remained there for almost 12 minutes.

The aircraft had no flight plans, their transponders were switched off, and they were not in two-way radio contact with Estonian air traffic control during the violation.

Il-20M

The Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft, based on the Il-18D passenger plane, was developed in the late 1960s. Its main surveillance tool was the Igla side-scan radar.

In addition to the Igla-1 radar, the Il-20 carries radio and photo reconnaissance equipment. It can produce detailed radar images comparable to aerial photographs in any weather. The aircraft is also capable of radio reconnaissance and aerial photography.

Antennas for the Kvadat radio reconnaissance station are installed under the fuselage behind the wing, providing more precise data on radio sources compared to the earlier Romb system.

Above the nose are antennas of the Vishnya system, designed to intercept open radio communications.

In 1970, the modernized Il-20M was introduced with updated electronic equipment.

Today, Russia continues to use aircraft of this type for reconnaissance in the Baltic region, where they are regularly intercepted and escorted by European air forces.