Spanish NATO pilot encounters Russian Il-20M spy plane on first combat sortie

In response to a NATO alert, a pair of Spanish EF-18 Hornets took off from the Ämari base in Estonia to locate a Russian Il-20M reconnaissance plane operating over the Baltic Sea. The mission marked the first combat deployment for Lieutenant Luis, a recent graduate of pilot training serving with the Spanish NATO contingent. The Il-20M, designated “Coot-A” by NATO, is equipped with antennas, infrared sensors, side-looking radar and satellite links to intercept radio traffic and detect electronic emissions from land, sea and air forces.

Such flights allow Russia to gather data on NATO communications and force dispositions. The aircraft has previously been sighted in other regions, including an Alaskan air-defense zone and the North Sea during NATO exercises.