PREVIEW

These images show two Norwegian F-35s that were scrambled from Evenes Air Station to identify and shadow two Russian Tu-142 BEAR F maritime patrol aircraft in international airspace over the Barents and Norwegian Seas on Monday 10 March 2025.

The Russian patrol aircraft were operating off Troms, dangerously close to where Norway and allies, including the U.K., are undertaking exercise Joint Viking 2025. In total, more than 10,000 soldiers are participating from nine countries: Norway, Finland, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, and the US are participating in the exercises.

Such Russian flights are regularly observed off the Norwegian coast in connection with observing major allied exercise activities.