squadron

Somerset, a British Type 23 frigate, used its radar system to report on the movements and a Merlin helicopter from its naval air squadron was also launched to gather information from the sky.

The aircraft were intended for an elite squadron of the Indian air force which ferries around the president, the prime minister and other VIPs.

It operates 31 fighter and combat squadrons - mostly Russian and Soviet-era aircraft - far below the sanctioned 42.

It was established following reporting by BBC Panorama that linked one SAS squadron to 54 suspicious deaths on just one six month tour of Afghanistan.

The station is home to two frontline, combat-ready squadrons and is also the training station for Typhoon pilots.