U.K.’s Carrier Strike Group was approached by a Russian ‘Bear-F’ maritime patrol aircraft that flew close to HMS Prince of Wales and dropped multiple sonobuoys nearby on July 6, 2026. Photo: X/@DefenceHQ
London
British F-35 jets, on Monday (July 6, 2026), escorted a Bear-F Russian aircraft that “repeatedly approached” the U.K.’s Carrier Strike Group in the Norwegian Sea and dropped sonobuoys (devices using sonar to detect submarines) near the aircraft carrier, according to the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The incident occurred on the eve of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) military alliance’s annual summit, scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara.
The Bear-F passed at “low altitude and unnecessarily close” to HMS Prince of Wales (part of the fleet), dropping a large number of sonobuoys in “close proximity” to the carrier, according to the U.K. MoD.
“The Russian aircraft was intercepted and escorted by two U.K. F-35 jets from HMS Prince of Wales until it left the area,” the statement said.
The Carrier Strike Group is deployed in the region as part of NATO’s Arctic Sentry, part of the alliance’s military posture in the Arctic and High North.
U.K. Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis and Iceland’s Foreign Minister, Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, had visited HMS Prince of Wales over the weekend. Mr Jarvis is reportedly hoping to stay on in his post if Andy Burnham takes the reins at No.10 Downing Street.
Published – July 06, 2026 09:38 pm IST
