Rivet Joint

The Rivet Joint is an unarmed surveillance aircraft operated by the British Royal Air Force. It is currently newsworthy due to recent incidents over the Black Sea where Russian jets conducted "dangerously" close intercepts. In April, a Russian Su-27 jet made multiple passes within six meters of the Rivet Joint, which was flying in international airspace securing NATO's eastern flank. These actions were described as "unacceptable" and risked a collision, potentially leading to a diplomatic crisis. The ongoing military activities and tensions in the region highlight the Rivet Joint's current relevance as a platform for intelligence gathering and maintaining situational awareness along NATO's borders.