RAF jets have been scrambled more than 50 times in six years to intercept Russian military aircraft, it can be revealed.
Obtained through a Freedom of Information request, the figures show there were 102 incidents of Quick Response Aircraft being launched between 2010 and 2015.
The Ministry of Defence data indicates 50 of these launches, just under half, were in response to Russian jets – reaching a peak of 10 incidents in 2011 and nine in 2012.