Austrian jets intercept US military planes two days in a row
Defense News • • world
Key Points:
- Austrian Eurofighter Typhoon jets scrambled on May 10 and 11 to intercept U.S. military U-28 aircraft near Austrian airspace, but no unauthorized airspace violations occurred, according to Austrian military officials.
- The U.S. Air Force had filed for an overflight permit for May 10 but did not use it; unannounced aircraft approached Austrian airspace that day but turned back before crossing the border, prompting the intercept.
- On May 11, the U.S. refiled and used the overflight permit, with Austrian jets conducting a high-priority intercept to verify the aircraft matched approved plans.
- Austria maintains constitutional neutrality and requires prior approval for foreign military transits, generally denying those related to wars; it recently closed airspace to U.S. activities linked to the Iran conflict.
- The incidents are being handled diplomatically, with U.S. European Command attributing the May 10 confusion to an administrative error and affirming compliance with Austrian laws and procedures.