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Denmark’s New F-35s Conduct First Live Mission, Tracking Russian Il-20 Over NATO Airspace
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![Vlad Litnarovych]( "Vlad Litnarovych")
Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) F-35A fighter jets scrambled last week to intercept and shadow a Russian Il-20 Coot-A reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea, The Aviationist reported on April 1.
This marked the first operational mission for Denmark’s new F-35 fleet since the jets were declared fully mission-capable.
The Danish pilots, launching from Fighter Wing Skrydstrup, visually identified the Russian Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft after it was detected by ground-based radars.
The Il-20 was operating in international airspace near Denmark’s Baltic island of Bornholm, within Denmark’s area of interest. Following NATO standard operating procedures, the Danish pilots shadowed the aircraft before returning to base in South Jutland.
“It is absolutely crucial that Danish fighter jets assert Danish sovereignty when Russian military aircraft approach Danish airspace,” said Denmark’s Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen. “With the F-35, we now have a state-of-the-art capability that enhances Denmark’s defense power and strengthens NATO’s overall deterrence and defense in the region. The situation in the Baltic Sea remains tense due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, and together with our Nordic neighbors, as well as Poland and Germany, we have a special responsibility for regional security.”
While the mission followed a routine NATO intercept pattern, it marked a milestone for the RDAF, as the F-35s officially assumed Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties on April 1.
However, Danish pilots and their fifth-generation jets were ready ahead of schedule, allowing them to conduct their first real-world mission in late March.
“We have reached a stage in the F-35 transition where it is no longer solely about education and training. The aircraft is now actively contributing to operational missions, and I am naturally proud of that,” said Chief of the Royal Danish Air Force Jan Dam.
Earlier, a Russian reconnaissance aircraft entered NATO airspace on March 27 without an active transponder signal. German fighter jets from Laage Air Base intercepted the aircraft and escorted it until it turned back toward Kaliningrad.
The incident took place east of the island of Rügen. German interceptors identified and monitored the unauthorized aircraft until it exited NATO-controlled airspace.
According to the German Air Force, the aircraft involved was identified as an Ilyushin Il-20M, which was flying without a flight plan and failed to respond to radio communications.
