(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — For the first time, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has detected and intercepted four bombers from Russia and China operating together in the airspace near Alaska.
NORAD officials stated that this is the first time they have detected and intercepted Russia’s Tu-95 “Bear” bombers and China’s H-6 “Xian” bombers operating together in the airspace near Alaska.
Both Russian and Chinese bombers are capable of carrying various armaments, including nuclear bombs and missiles.
It remains unclear whether the Russian and Chinese bombers were carrying any weapons while operating in the airspace near Alaska, which is U.S. territory.
NORAD deployed fighter jets, including the Royal Canadian Air Force’s F/A-18 Hornet and the U.S. Air Force’s F-35 and F-16, to intercept and escort the Russian and Chinese bombers.
The Russian Ministry of Defense released a video showing their bombers and Chinese bombers being approached by Canadian and U.S. fighter jets in Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
According to NORAD, all four bombers remained in international airspace within Alaska’s ADIZ throughout their flight and did not pose a threat.
The bombers did not enter the sovereign airspace of the United States or Canada.
“This is the first time in history that Chinese H-6 bombers have been in Alaska’s ADIZ,” U.S. and Canadian defense officials were quoted by CNN.
For Russian aircraft, this is not their first time in Alaska’s ADIZ. In May, NORAD detected four incidents of Russian aircraft entering Alaska’s ADIZ.
Alaska is one of the northernmost states in the U.S., located in North America, with waters bordering the Bering Strait.
It is the U.S. territory closest to Russia, with Little Diomede Island (U.S.) only about 4km from Big Diomede Island (Russia).
China’s Ministry of Defense stated that its air force and Russia’s had conducted joint strategic patrols over the Bering Sea as part of their existing annual military cooperation.
According to spokesman Zhang Xiaogang, this was the eighth joint flight between the two air forces since 2019, aimed at testing and enhancing cooperation levels between the two sides.
It also seeks to deepen strategic trust and practical cooperation between the two countries.
“This action is not aimed at any third party, is in accordance with international law and international practices, and has nothing to do with the current international and regional situation,” Zhang stated.
In March, NORAD Chief General Gregory Guillot mentioned that China’s military operations were approaching the Arctic region, and he expected Chinese aircraft to potentially operate in the Arctic this year.
“What I see is China’s readiness and intent to operate in the Arctic. We have seen them in maritime aspects, in technical and scientific research operations, including military operations. I expect air activities in Alaska as early as this year,” he said.
“It is a concern for me.”
China describes itself as “near-Arctic” country and has been working to expand its operations in the icy region alongside Russia. — DSA