On Wednesday, July 24, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese nuclear-capable strategic bombers near the Alaska region. This unprecedented event marks the first time these nations’ aircraft have flown together in this area, according to U.S. defense officials.
International airspace activity
“The Russian and PRC aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace. This Russian and PRC activity in the Alaska ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone) is not seen as a threat, and NORAD will continue to monitor competitor activity near North America and meet presence with presence,” stated NORAD.
The intercepted aircraft included Russian TU-95 Bear bombers and Chinese H-6 bombers. They did not enter U.S. or Canadian airspace, and NORAD, a joint bi-national command between the United States and Canada, managed the intercept using U.S. F-16 and F-35 fighter jets and Canadian CF-18 fighter jets.
Routine military exercises
China’s Defence Ministry clarified that this joint patrol was part of an annual cooperation plan between the two militaries. The exercise, conducted in the Bering Sea airspace, aimed to test and enhance the cooperation level between the Chinese and Russian air forces and deepen strategic mutual trust.
“This action is not aimed at third parties, is in line with relevant international laws and international practices, and has nothing to do with the current international and regional situation,” said ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang. This is the eighth such exercise since 2019.
Growing complexity
While Russian flights into Alaska’s ADIZ are routine, the inclusion of Chinese aircraft adds a new dimension. In March, General Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command, noted China’s increased activity in the Arctic, anticipating the presence of Chinese aircraft in the region potentially as early as this year.
“What I have seen is a willingness and a desire by the Chinese to act up there,” Guillot said during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. “We have seen them in the maritime. We have seen them under the cloud of technical or scientific research, but we think it is certainly multi-mission, including military. And then I expect to see air activity in the Alaska part of the Arctic as soon as this year, potentially,” Guillot stated.
