Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

TORNADOES from an under-threat Scots air base were scrambled to intercept a Russian bomber.

The F3 fighters leapt into action to head off the "Bear" bomber when it came within sight of St Andrews.

The plane, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, pulled back just seconds before entering British airspace, it was revealed yesterday.

The Tupolev Tu-95 was intercepted off the coast of the Fife town by top guns from nearby RAF Leuchars.

North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell said the "intrusion" once again highlighted the base's crucial role in the defence of Britain.

Campbell said there had been several incursions by the Russians this year, adding to 15 incidents in 2010.

He added: "This is yet another in a long-running series of incidents when Russian aircraft seek to test the strength and responsiveness of the UK's air defence.

"RAF Leuchars, which provides the quick reaction alert, has aircraft on standby every hour of the day.

"This simply demonstrates once again that, on this occasion, Leuchars was in the right place at the right time and doing the right thing."

An RAF spokeswoman confirmed the latest incident, which occurred earlier in the month.

She said: "Aircraft were launched to identify unknown aircraft that were flying in international airspace over the North Sea. The aircraft, identified as Russian military, did not enter UK sovereign airspace."

The Ministry of Defence intend to close at least two UK air bases as part of the Strategic Defence Review and have identified RAF Kinloss in Moray as one to be axed.

Minister for the Armed Forces Nick Harvey, visiting the Fife base yesterday, said no decision had been made over the future of Leuchars.