On Saturday 7 March, a spotter website (Fighter Control) reported that an A400M (ZM405, callsign RRR4998) departed Brize at around 08:20 and descended to low-ish level (4000ft) over the Celtic Sea, returning to base about seven hours later. RTB now at 15:14. It was said to have been "on maritime recon ops, 160nm SW of Lands End."
Which would seem to be a similar area to that attracting the interest of Russian Naval Aviation on the same day.......
Wonder why they used an A400M and not the newly delivered P-8?
