RAF Typhoons have been scrambled in response to "unidentified aircraft" approaching UK airspace.

The fighter jets took off from RAF Lossiemouth on Monday carrying the latest Meteor air-to-air missile for the first time, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

The "quick reaction alert" mission was undertaken as a "precautionary measure", it added.

RAF Typhoons launched from RAF Lossiemouth this morning for the first time with the Meteor Air-to-Air missile in defence of UK airspace during a QRA mission https://t.co/UfwHcplb1R pic.twitter.com/09NOQmLD8D — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) December 10, 2018

No intercept took place and the jets later returned to the base in Moray, northeast Scotland.

The MoD has not confirmed any further details about the unidentified aircraft.


The Meteor, which can fly in any weather, was developed by a six-nation European partnership led by the UK, creating 430 jobs across the country.

The MoD said carrying the Meteor missiles was the "culmination of many years of research, development and testing to bring this advanced weapon into service on front-line aircraft".

"The introduction of Meteor brings a new and innovative long-range capability and further enhances Typhoon's already potent arsenal," it added.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the missile would "provide an unrelenting deterrence to those who wish harm upon the UK and our armed forces".

He added: "This latest missile system demonstrates the next chapter of the Typhoon which will see the jet evolve its ability to target and destroy any airborne threat at great distances."