RAF plane in hunt for Russian submarine off Scotland

AN RAF aircraft is involved in a search off the coast of Scotland after reports of a Russian submarine in the area.

By The Newsroom Monday, 23rd November 2015, 2:25 pm

File photo of a Russian submarine. Picture: Getty

A Royal Navy Frigate and submarine as well as Canadian and French maritime patrol aircraft are also conducting activity off the north coast of the country.

The French aircraft is thought to have been searching for the submarine for the last 10 days.

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The RAF currently has no maritime patrol planes of its own, but the BBC are reporting that the lack of aircraft is likely to be addressed in the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

The submarine was detected north of Scotland, with the Ministry of Defence neither confirminig nor denying that the search was focused on a foreign craft.

A statement read: “We can confirm that allied maritime patrol aircraft based at RAF Lossiemouth for a limited period are conducting activity with the Royal Navy.

“We do not discuss the detail of maritime operations.”

There have been some concerns that Russia could be exploring plans to cut key internet communications during future wars, after a noticeable rise in activity by the country’s Navy close to undersea cables.

Earlier this year, there were reports of Russian submarines ‘menacing’ Irish and Scottish fishing boats.