Russian, Chinese Aircraft Enter Alaskan ADIZ Amid Increased Military Cooperation, US 2024 Arctic Strategy
Russian, Chinese Aircraft Enter Alaskan ADIZ Amid Increased Military Cooperation, US 2024 Arctic Strategy
The Pentagon addressed China's growing military presence in the Arctic, demonstrating its ability to operate in the Arctic by conducting operations with the Russian Navy in the region.
PENTAGON - While speaking to reporters on Thursday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the appearance of Russian and Chinese aircraft within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) was "not a surprise" and that the nuclear-capable bombers at no time posed a threat to the United States.
"We have very good surveillance capabilities," Austin said. "We closely monitored these aircraft, tracked the aircraft, intercepted the aircraft, which demonstrates that our forces are at the ready all the time."
Regarding being prepared if joint Russian and Chinese flights around the Alaskan ADIZ continue Austin said that the United States military is prepared to handle the situation.
"We are at the ready. We will always be at the ready," he stated. "If there is a challenge or a threat to the United States of America, your troops will be at the ready and they will do the right thing."
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported late on Wednesday that two Russian TU-95 bombers and two Chinese H-6 bombers were spotted operating within the U.S. Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
According to a statement by NORAD, American and Canadian aircraft were sent out to intercept the Russian and Chinese bombers after they entered Alaska's ADIZ, adding that at no time did the bombers enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace.
"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 NORAD statement said.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported, "During the flight, Russian and Chinese crews cooperated in the new area of joint operations during all stages of the air patrol".
The ministry said that the exercise was "part of the implementation of the military cooperation plan for 2024," and added that the bomber flights lasted 5 hours and added that at times bombers were escorted by Russian fighter jets.
A spokesperson for the Chinese military said that the exercises are meant to improve coordination between the Russian and Chinese militaries, and was the 8th joint air patrol since 2019, although Washington said it was the first time the joint patrols had reached the Alaskan ADIZ.
While speaking to reporters, Austin said "This is the first time we've seen those two countries fly together like that".
The State Department and the Pentagon also addressed the new 2024 Arctic Strategy released by the Department of Defense.
The Pentagon also addressed China's growing military presence in the Arctic, demonstrating its ability to operate in the Arctic by conducting operations with the Russian Navy in the region.