A Royal Air Force P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) has completed its first operation in the North Sea, shadowing a Russian warship as it passed close to UK waters. The Poseidon, from 120 Squadron (based in Scotland), completed a prolonged watch over Russian warship Vasily Bykov recently. It did so while being supported by multiple aircraft, including Typhoon fighters based at RAF Lossiemouth and a VIP Voyager refuelling aircraft from RAF Brize Norton. Earlier this year the minister of state for defence, Baroness Goldie, said, ‘In an increasingly unstable world of persistent challenge and competition, it is important that the UK Armed Forces possess cutting edge technology to meet threats wherever they emerge.’