LONDON, July 6 (Xinhua) - Two British F-35 fighter jets intercepted and escorted a Russian maritime patrol aircraft after it repeatedly approached a British aircraft carrier in the Norwegian Sea, the British Ministry of Defence said on Monday.

An F-35 fighter jet performs during the annual Wings Over Houston Airshow at the Ellington Airport, state of Texas, the United States, Oct. 19, 2019. The annual airshow kicked off at the Ellington Airport Saturday, with aerial performances and displays. (File photo:Xinhua)

In a post on social media platform X, the ministry said the Russian Bear-F aircraft flew "unnecessarily close" to HMS Prince of Wales, dropped multiple sonobuoys -- air-dropped devices used to detect and track submarines and other underwater activity -- in the area, and failed to respond on international safety frequencies.

The incident occurred on July 2 while the British Carrier Strike Group was conducting Operation FIRECREST, British media reported.

Two F-35 fighter jets operating from HMS Prince of Wales intercepted the aircraft and escorted it until it left the area, the ministry said.

The British Carrier Strike Group continues to operate alongside NATO allies in the High North, focusing on security in the Arctic and North Atlantic, the ministry added.

As of press time, Russia has not publicly responded to the British statement.