The incident involved two GR4 Tornado aircraft, a type of combat jet that is in use in Afghanistan and was used extensively over Libya last year.
The aircraft flew from RAF Lossiemouth, on the Moray coast, the UK’s biggest fast-jet base and home to three operational squadrons of Tornado GR4s, including the Tornado GR4 Operational Conversion Unit, which trains aircrew.
It is understood the jets were flying together and were involved in a practice bombing run shortly before the crash.
Around 15 lifeboat volunteers joined the rescue operation in three boats after reports that the jets came down about 25 miles south of Wick, Highland. Aberdeen coastguard contacted the Royal National Lifeboat Institution at about 1.50pm.
“This is tragic news and my sincere sympathy is with those loved ones who have been bereaved, and indeed all those affected”, said First Minister Alex Salmond.
“The rescue services have worked incredibly hard in the hope of a different outcome and the Scottish government remains ready to help in any way we can with the next phase of this operation”, he said.
The Tornado GR4 is a two-seat attack aircraft, capable of delivering a variety of weapons and reaching a maximum altitude of 15,000 meters (50,000ft).
MOL/JR
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