- A United States Navy P-8A Poseidon, an anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare aircraft, flying over the Mediterranean Sea on Wednesday was obstructed by a Russian SU-35 fighter jet.
- ” The interaction was determined to be unsafe due to the SU-35 performing a high-speed, inverted maneuver, 25 [feet] directly in front of the objective aircraft, which put our pilots and team at risk,” the Navy stated.
- The Navy stated the team of the P-8A Poseidon experienced “wake turbulence” during the 42- minute encounter.
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The US Navy stated on Wednesday that one of its aircraft was obstructed by a Russian jet while flying in global airspace over the Mediterranean Sea.
The United States Navy P-8A Poseidon, an anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare airplane, was flying over the over the Mediterranean Sea when it was approached by a Russian SU-35 fighter jet, according to US Naval Forces Europe-Africa.
” The interaction was identified to be hazardous due to the SU-35 carrying out a high-speed, inverted maneuver, 25 [feet] straight in front of the objective airplane, which put our pilots and team at risk,” the Navy said in a statement.
The team of the P-8A Poseidon was stated to have experienced “wake turbulence” during the 42- minute encounter.
Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters.
” While the Russian airplane was operating in worldwide airspace, this interaction was irresponsible,” the Navy included. “We expect them to act within worldwide standards set to make sure security and to prevent occurrences.”
On both occasions, the Navy stated its aircraft was flying in worldwide airspace and was not provoking the Russian aircraft.
The recent encounter comes as Russia performed another provocative test by firing an anti-satellite rocket on Wednesday, according to United States Area Command.
” Russia’s [direct-ascent anti-satellite] test offers yet another example that the dangers to US and allied space systems are genuine, serious and growing,” Gen. John Raymond, the head of Space Command and chief of area operations for US Area Force, stated in a statement Wednesday.
” The United States is ready and committed to deterring aggressiveness and defending the country, our allies, and United States interests from hostile acts in space,” Raymond added.
