For the first time, nuclear-capable bombers from China and Russia entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
The incident involving China and Russia led to a swift military response from the U.S. and Canada, highlighting intense geopolitical tensions, as Breitbart reports.
The cooperative military patrol involved two Russian TU-95 bombers and two Chinese H-6 bombers.
This sortie prompted the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to deploy U.S. F-16s, F-35s, and Canadian CF-18 fighters. The aircraft from China and Russia stayed within international airspace throughout the incident.
NORAD clarified that the foreign military activity did not pose a direct threat, maintaining vigilance over the operations. "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," commented a NORAD spokesman.
The event is the last in a series of joint air patrols, which began in 2019, aiming to enhance the military bonding between Russia and China. Wednesday's operation marked a significant escalation in these cooperative air missions.
These occurrences are not new, as Russian aircraft have previously entered the ADIZ off Alaska's coast, including an instance in May. However, the involvement of the Chinese military, with the H-6 bomber flying this close to U.S. airspace alongside Russian bombers, is unprecedented. This joint patrol seems to be an escalated demonstration of military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow.
The joint patrol was conducted from a shared Russian airbase, as confirmed by China's Defense Ministry. Spokesman Col. Zhang Xiaogang from China's Defense Ministry outlined the purpose and nature of the operation.
"This is the eighth air strategic joint patrol organized by the two militaries since 2019. It further tested and improved coordination between two air forces and deepened strategic mutual trust and substantive cooperation," he said.
Col. Zhang further asserted that these actions were aligned with international regulations, emphasizing their peaceful intentions: "This operation did not target any third parties and was in line with relevant international law and practice and had nothing to do with the current international or regional situation."
The Pentagon previously expressed unease about the growing collaboration between China and Russia in the Arctic, especially given China's ambition to extend its influence into Arctic governance through its "polar Silk Road" initiative. China declares itself a "near-Arctic state" and is keen on playing a significant role in Arctic development and resource management.
These developments come amidst increasing global attention to the Arctic, a region that is becoming increasingly strategic due to its untapped resources and significant geopolitical positioning.
As the dynamics in the Arctic continue to evolve, the strategic patrols by China and Russia serve as a reminder of the complex security challenges that the United States continues to face.
