Norwegian F-35s Identify Russian Aircraft
Norwegian fighter jets have scrambled for two consecutive days to identify Russian military aircraft in international airspace off Finnmark.
In both incidents, the Russian military aircraft flew in international airspace off Finnmark. Such events are routine and expected, particularly during large exercises like Cold Response, which is currently taking place in Northern Norway.
Wednesday’s mission
The aircraft, an Ilyushin Il-20M (NATO reporting name: Coot-A), is used by the Russian military for reconnaissance and surveillance. It was flying with its transponder switched off but was routinely detected by Norwegian sensors around 09:30 on Wednesday.
Two Norwegian F-35 fighter jets on standby took off from Evenes Air Station. They identified and shadowed the aircraft along the Norwegian coast before it turned northwards off Vesterålen. The plane then flew south twice more, reaching as far as Lofoten, before returning to the Kola Peninsula around 13:30.
Tuesday’s mission
This was the second consecutive day that Norwegian F-35s were scrambled for such a mission. On Tuesday morning, an Ilyushin Il-20M flew in international airspace off Finnmark.
This aircraft was also identified and shadowed by two Norwegian F-35s before it turned north from Sørøya and returned to the Kola Peninsula around 12:00.
Russian interest in Cold Response
It is important to emphasise that there is nothing unusual or dramatic about such Russian flights, and Russia has the right to conduct these missions.
The Russian flights are most likely intended to gather situational awareness of allied activity in connection with Cold Response 2026.
Maintaining control and oversight
Even though this activity is expected, it is important for NATO to locate and identify the aircraft. This helps maintain an overview of their frequency and flight patterns, while also demonstrating that we remain in control and are monitoring air traffic in our immediate area.
This mission is known as QRA (Quick Reaction Alert), and Norwegian fighter jets carry out around 40 such missions each year.
