Russian and Chinese nuclear-capable strategic bombers patrolled near the U.S. state of Alaska on Thursday. The move concurrently prompted the United States and Canada to scramble fighter jets.
China, Russia Joint Patrol
Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers and Chinese H-6 strategic bombers patrolled over the Chukchi and Bering seas, Russia’s defence ministry said.
“Russian and Chinese crews cooperated in the new area of joint operations during all stages of the air patrol.”
“At some stages of the route, the air group was accompanied by fighters from foreign countries,” it said.
On the five-hour flight, the Russian and Chinese bombers were escorted by Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters. No foreign airspace was violated, Russia said.
Uncomfortably Close?
The U.S. military’s North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said U.S. and Canadian fighters intercepted the Russian and Chinese aircraft. It happened in the Alaska Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
NORAD is a bi-national command between the United States and Canada. It employs a layered defence network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars and fighter aircraft. The idea is to have seamless interoperability to detect and track aircraft and inform appropriate actions.
‘Not A Threat’
“The Russian and PRC aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace,” NORAD said.
NORAD does not see this Russian and Chinese activity in the Alaska ADIZ as a threat. But it said it will continue to monitor competitor activity near North America and meet presence with presence.
An ADIZ begins where sovereign airspace ends. It’s a defined stretch of international airspace that requires ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security.
‘Not Aimed At Third Party’
The joint patrol had deepened strategic mutual trust and coordination between the two militaries, a spokesperson for China’s defence ministry said.
“The event is part of the implementation of the military cooperation plan for 2024. Besides, it is not directed against third countries,” Russia said.
China says it’s the eighth such drill with Russia in the last five years. And the idea is to deepen strategic mutual trust. Moreover, the drill does not target any third party. It has nothing to do with the current international and regional situation, said Zhang Xiaogang, Chinese Defence Ministry Spokesperson.
(With inputs from Reuters)
