Italian Fighter Jets Intercept Rare Russian Be-200PS Aircraft Over Baltic Sea
On January 16, Italian Eurofighter Typhoon jets intercepted a Russian Be-200PS amphibious aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The Be-200PS, which can take off and land on land and water, is utilized for firefighting, search and rescue, maritime patrol, and cargo transport.
It features two D-436T turbojet engines, a top speed of 720 km/h, and a range of 3,850 km. The aircraft can carry up to 72 passengers or 12 tons of water for firefighting. Development began in the late 1990s, with its first flight in 1998 and serial production starting in 2003.
The Russian Navy reportedly operates a limited number of Be-200 aircraft, with estimates suggesting one to three in service. The intercepted aircraft, RF-88456, was manufactured in 2020.
