UK reveals Russian Su-27 launched missile near RAF Rivet Joint
It has emerged that a RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint SIGINT aircraft was close to being hit by a Russian Su-27 missile. (Photo: UK MoD)
Incident involving a Russian Su-27 and RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint not thought to be a ‘deliberate escalation’ on the part of Moscow.
Ben Wallace, the UK secretary of defence, has said a Russian Air Force Su-27 ‘Flanker‘ fighter jet released a ‘missile’ close to an RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint SIGINT aircraft over the Black Sea.
The incident took place on 29 September, with a subsequent investigation by Russia determining that a ‘technical malfunction’ caused the weapon to be fired accidentally.
The RC-135 had been shadowed by two Su-27 aircraft during a ‘routine patrol’ over international airspace and was following a pre-notified flight path before a missile in its ‘vicinity’ was detected, Wallace told the House of Commons on 20 October.
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Defence Notes
-
![How AI is reshaping defence procurement through sustainment]()
How AI is reshaping defence procurement through sustainment
Artificial intelligence is not just changing how defence equipment is maintained but how defence programmes are won, creating new opportunities for industry by influencing acquisition decisions and shaping competition.
-
![Ukraine experience forces rethink of counter-UAS doctrine]()
Ukraine experience forces rethink of counter-UAS doctrine
A panel session at Eurosatory 2026 brought together industry, academia and the French armed forces to assess how Ukraine’s battlefield reality is reshaping counter-UAS (CUAS) technology, air defence doctrine and Western procurement priorities.
-
![Nuclear costs crowd out key defence priorities in UK investment plan, say SDR authors]()
Nuclear costs crowd out key defence priorities in UK investment plan, say SDR authors
The UK government’s Defence Investment Plan has been criticised by the authors of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) 2025 which formed the basis of the plan. The SDR’s external reviewers told the country’s defence committee how the plan misses the mark.
-
![Australia’s new defence industry strategy targets development, procurement and exports]()
Australia’s new defence industry strategy targets development, procurement and exports
Australian is investing in weapons and missile manufacture and shipbuilding as part of a long-term plan that involves restructuring procurement and export systems under its 2026 Defence Industry Development Strategy.
-
![Raytheon fast-tracks AIM-9X Sidewinder production targeting 2,500 missiles a year by 2027]()
Raytheon fast-tracks AIM-9X Sidewinder production targeting 2,500 missiles a year by 2027
RTX Raytheon is accelerating production of the AIM-9X Sidewinder, aiming to reach 2,500 missiles annually by late 2027 while strengthening its supply chain following two US Navy major contracts worth more than $2.2 billion.
