Scramble for Italian Typhoons over the Baltic

An interesting image was released by the Italian Air Force (via NATO social media account) showing a recent scramble by Italian Typhoons over the Baltic Sea. The two Italian aircraft intercepted a Russian Ilyushin Il-20 “Coot” (registration RF-95671), which had entered NATO airspace without authorization.

The Il-20 is equipped with specialized electronic (ELINT) and communications intelligence (COMINT) equipment. For instance, the cigar-shaped pod under the fuselage contains an Igla-1 (SLAR) side-looking airborne radar. According to experts, the Il-20M is regularly used for mapping and imaging purposes. The aircraft is equipped with an A-87P camera, as well as Vishnya, SRS-4 Romb, and Kvadrat-2 systems. The two large antennas on the top of the fuselage allow the Il-20M to transmit information to ground command in near real-time.

The Italian fighters involved in the Baltic policing mission are Eurofighter Typhoons, with personnel from the 36th Wing in Gioia del Colle, the 37th Wing in Trapani, the 4th Wing in Grosseto, and the 51st Wing in Istrana—all wings of the Italian Air Force dedicated to Air Defense.