Thread: Japan scrambles fighter jets to head off six Russian bombers

Japan scrambles fighter jets to head off six Russian bombers flying towards its air space amid rising tensions in the region following Trump's war of words with North Korea

• Defence forces reacted after two strategic bombers were seen close to Pacific Ocean
• Russia then deployed two fighter jets to the northern island of Hokkaido
• Two anti-submarine aircraft were deployed to the Sea of Japan by Russia
• Japanese officials said the aircraft did not tresspass into its territory

By Dave Burke For Mailonline
PUBLISHED: 07:39 EDT, 12 April 2017 | UPDATED: 11:47 EDT, 12 April 2017

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3.1kshares

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Six Russian aircraft seen close to Japanese airspace forced fighter jets to be scrambled today, according to reports in Tokyo.

Japanese defence forces first reacted after two Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers were seen close to the Pacific Ocean.

Soon afterwards two Russian Ilyushin Il-38 fighter jets were sent out to Hokkaido, which is Japan's most northern island, NHK reported today.

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Japanese defence forces reacted after the Russian aircraft were seen close to Tokyo-controlled territory


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A Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft, similar to the one shown, was deployed to the Sea of Japan by Russia


The same day two anti-submarine aircraft, the Tupolev Tu-142 were deployed by Russia to the Sea of Japan, while two aircraft, believed to be the fighter jets, made a u-turn close to Tokyo after crossing the Pacific Ocean.

They then returned to Russian territory, it has been reported, and the Japanese military said the aircraft did not trespass into its territory.

The alert comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, after Japanese Prime Minister described a North Korean missile test as a grave threat to the region.
Prime Minister Abe condemns North Korea missile lau

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Two Russian Ilyushin Il-38 fighter jets were sent out to Hokkaido, which is Japan's most northern island


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Yesterday US President Donald Trump accused North Korea of 'looking for trouble' following missile tests

And Pyongyang has reacted angrily over a joint Japanese and American military exercise with US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson.

A drill will be carried out in the East China Sea, according to reports, but North Korea has warned of 'catastrophic consequences', UPI reports.

Yesterday US President Donald Trump said North Korea was 'looking for trouble' and the United States would 'solve the problem' with or without China's help.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz4e3J7aaT8

Japanese, U.S. navies plan joint show of force toward North Korea

This is dangerous and ridiculous.

Each country knows what the other has already - this 'show' of force is just silly and dangerous. There is always the possibility of some nutjob doing something that erupts into a very serious thing.

Just me, but I think this 'show' is for the peoples of the various countries, not the leaders.