Syrian warplanes test British air defenses, flee

Two Syrian warplanes tested British air defenses at the Akrotiri air base in Cyprus on Monday, but turned around and fled when British Typhoon warplanes were scrambled in response.

The dramatic confrontation came after President Bashar al-Assad’s air chiefs sent two Russian-made Sukhoi Su-24s to probe our air defences.

The Syrian bombers refused to respond to repeated attempts by the control tower at the UK’s Akrotiri air base to contact them.

RAF pilots flying the world’s most advanced combat jet were scrambled before the Sukhois could enter our 14-mile air exclusion zone.

The Typhoons – which can scream from runway standstill to seven miles high in 90 seconds – soared into the sky to make visual contact with the Syrian pilots.

But the moment the Syrians ­spotted our planes on their radar they high-tailed for home.
If the bombers had pressed on into our exclusion zone they would have been shot down, military experts said last night.

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A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The MoD can confirm that Typhoon air defence aircraft operated from RAF Akrotiri on Monday to investigate unidentified aircraft to the east of Cyprus.

“The aircraft were flying legally in international airspace and no ­intercept was required.”

The UK air base at Akrotiri is packed with US and French ­warplanes ready to strike Syria when President Obama gives the go-ahead.

A military source told the Sunday People: “Recent intelligence reports have warned of an attack
on Akrotiri.

“The RAF Typhoons were launched after sensitive airborne early-warning radar picked up the ‘contacts’ flying low and fast.” The British typhoons are part of a squadron of six sent to Cyprus to guard our bases there as the Americans prepare for an attack.

A Navy Type 45 anti-aircraft ­destroyer is also sitting off Cyprus to provide early warning of Syrian fighters or missiles launched against the island.

Two French Navy Atlantique spy planes have also been moved to RAF Akrotiri.

Hmmm.