Having watched the programme it seemed to me that the whole scenario was exagerated to dramatise a TV programme and show just how wonderful and cool the Royal Navy are in facing such a ‘raid’. No doubt the ‘seventeen’ aircraft would be the total over several hours and not some ‘swarm’ as shown for effect.
I think it is fair to say if there was any real threat they wouldnt see so many aircraft as modern weapon delivery would probably be launched in a stand off fashion from over the horizon,
The scene showing the launch of the Wildcat to locate the russian surface vessel that had ‘gone missing’ was also rather odd.
It came just after the scene where the audience was told that Duncan had the best radar system in the world yet a ship that had been shadowing her had mysteriously disappeared over night? Also when the wildcat took off on its dangerous mission flown closer to russian territory than had been flown before......they took with them a television crew?
Good bit of drama for effect and good recruiting material for RN but how factual?