Royal Air Force jets have launched over Scotland to 'intercept an unidentified aircraft'. 

Planespotters tracking aircraft across Scotland said that at least six aircraft deployed on a 'Quick Reaction Alert' mission this morning.

The Typhoon jets were launched from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and joined by a Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

An RAF spokesman declined to provide more information on the operation until it is over.

The details of the aircraft being probed is unknown, but it is not unusual for Russian planes to fly close to UK airspace, prompting a quick response. 

Two Portuguese F-16 jets have launched from RAF Lossiemouth, but it is said these are on a routine flight to Iceland.