The United States and Canada scrambled fighter jets Thursday when Russian and Chinese nuclear-capable strategic bombers patrolled close to Alaska within the North Pacific and Arctic.
Russian Tu-95MS “Bear” strategic bombers and Chinese Xi’an H-6 strategic bombers took half in patrols over the Chukchi and Bering seas and the North Pacific, Russia’s Defense Ministry mentioned.
“During the flight, Russian and Chinese crews cooperated in the new area of joint operations during all stages of the air patrol,” the Russian ministry mentioned in an announcement.
“At some stages of the route, the air group was accompanied by fighters from foreign countries,” it mentioned.
On the five-hour flight, the Russian and Chinese bombers had been escorted by Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters. No international airspace was violated, Russia mentioned.
The U.S. navy’s North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) mentioned that U.S. and Canadian fighter jets had intercepted the Russian and People’s Republic of China (PRC) plane within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
“The Russian and PRC aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace,” NORAD mentioned.
“This Russian and PRC activity in the Alaska ADIZ is not seen as a threat, and NORAD will continue to monitor competitor activity near North America and meet presence with presence.”
The joint patrol had deepened strategic mutual belief and coordination between the 2 militaries, a spokesperson for China’s Defence Ministry mentioned.
It had “nothing to do with the current international situation,” mentioned Zhang Xiaogang.
“The event was held as part of the implementation of the military cooperation plan for 2024 and is not directed against third countries,” Russia mentioned.
Source: www.dailysabah.com