Time to show Russia we will defend ourselves

I have said before that the Saxa Vord radar station should be brought out of mothballs (closed by the Labour government - thanks Gordon Brown).

The Russians are behaving like bullies right now and if you intend to stand up to a bully you need to signal it early on.

Lets be clear Tu160 "Blackjack" bombers patrolling in dash distance of Uk cities etc is not the act of a friendly country.

Tony Sharp made the same point about a week ago - at the time I felt that other concerns were more important, like the Falklands, but now I'm not so sure.

There is a definite ratcheting up of pressure from Putin. Maybe to create a crisis for his own purposes ( staying on as President for example ). But I don't see making prudent defensive moves as being provocative.
A TU160 B1B Lancer which I mistook - as did google images, but that's no excuse - nobody's Teddy Bear. A very serrious piece of kit to deliver Nuclear devastation with super sonic dash capability.

Update: Its seems I have a picture of a B1B Lancer - thanks to The Morning Star for pointing they out. They do look similar as you can see on Norishing obscurity blog here and also here.