---
title: "Royal Air Force Typhoons Buzz Russia’s Carrier"
description: "Royal Air Force Typhoons buzz the Admiral Kuznetsov in the English Channel. Russia's only carrier and its escorts are heading home, but not without a visit by the UK Ministry of Defense first."
date: "2017-01-25"
modified: "2017-01-25"
authors:
  - name: "Tyler Rogoway"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway"
url: "https://www.twz.com/7117/royal-air-force-typhoons-buzz-russias-carrier"
categories:
  - "Air"
  - "Air Forces"
  - "Around The Globe"
  - "Europe"
  - "Fighters"
  - "News & Features"
  - "Royal Air Force"
  - "Russia"
  - "Typhoon"
  - "United Kingdom"
tags:
  - "Admiral Kuznetsov"
  - "carriers"
  - "English Channel"
  - "HMS St. Albans"
  - "Kirov class"
  - "Peter the Great"
  - "RAF"
  - "Type 23 Frigate"
  - "Typhoons"
---

# Royal Air Force Typhoons Buzz Russia’s Carrier

![](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-twz/content/2017/01/ssca.jpg>)
*www.twz.com*

After having a [less than stellar cruise to the Mediterranean](<https://www.twz.com/6842/russian-carrier-headed-home-after-just-two-months-off-syrian-coast>), Russia’s[ carrier ](<https://www.twz.com/5700/russias-carrier-was-designed-to-be-heavily-armed-even-without-its-air-wing>)and its armada are making their slow voyage back to their home base in frigid Severomorsk. As it made its way north through the English Channel, the UK Ministry of Defense not only shadowed the flotilla with a Type 23 Frigate, [the *HMS St. Albans*](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_St_Albans_(F83)>), but it also sent a trio of Eurofighter Typhoons to make low passes near and around it.

The results of the mission included some awesome pics, check them out below:

![message-editor%2F1485372068769-vca.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1485372068769-vca.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1485372095688-adadcac.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1485372095688-adadcac.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1485372115777-cnna.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1485372115777-cnna.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1485372144514-jdjd.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1485372144514-jdjd.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1485372176320-hfhfh.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1485372176320-hfhfh.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1485372222013-dacc1.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1485372222013-dacc1.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1485372253267-hghghh.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1485372253267-hghghh.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1485372277940-dadc14.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1485372277940-dadc14.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1485372299894-cmca.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1485372299894-cmca.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1485372351937-ghhg.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1485372351937-ghhg.jpg>)

![message-editor%2F1485372366873-dadacc.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1485372366873-dadacc.jpg>)

*All images MoD Crown Copyright.*

Some may wonder what objective is being met by sending Typhoons out on such a mission. Beyond a show of force and a killer photo op, their presence is likely at least partially a symptom of the fact that the UK has been [without a proper maritime patrol aircraft ](<https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/japans-totally-original-maritime-patrol-jet-is-hunting-1716182328>)for many years. This deficiency is planned to be [righted by an order of P-8 Poseidons](<https://www.twz.com/6504/the-mad-foxes-take-us-to-the-middle-east-in-their-p-8-poseidons>) which will be able to accomplish myriad of missions beyond basic sea control, anti-surface and [anti-submarine warfare duties.](<https://www.twz.com/3582/the-p-8-poseidon-will-get-winged-torpedoes-to-kill-subs-at-long-range>)

Defense Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, said the following about monitoring the [*Kuznetsov* ](<https://www.twz.com/6091/what-oddities-can-you-spot-in-this-tour-of-russias-aging-aircraft-carrier>)as it made its way through the channel:

“We are keeping a close eye on the *Admiral Kuznetsov* as it skulks back to Russia; a ship of shame whose mission has only extended the suffering of the Syrian people. We are man-marking these vessels every step of the way around the UK as part of our steadfast commitment to keep Britain safe.”

Not friendly words, to say the least. Here's a video shot while the jets were airborne over the *Kuznetsov*:

https://twitter.com/_/status/824284681709481989

*Contact the author Tyler@thedrive.com*

## Author
Tyler’s passion is the study of military technology, strategy, as well as foreign policy, and he has fostered a dominant voice on those topics in the defense and national security space. Tyler was the creator of the hugely popular defense site *Foxtrot Alpha* before developing *TWZ*, which he continues to lead as the Editor-In-Chief to this day.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel>)