China, Russia bombers enter Alaska air defence zone in military first: Norad

The two countries’ warplanes entered the area at the same time and were intercepted in international airspace, the joint US and Canadian military command said

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A Chinese H-6 bomber, similar to the PLA warplanes, was detected along with Russian aircraft in the Air Defence Identification Zone off the coast of Alaska on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

Published: 5:00pm, 25 Jul 2024Updated: 2:02am, 26 Jul 2024

Chinese and Russian bombers were detected and intercepted off the coast of Alaska for the first time on Wednesday, according to joint US and Canadian defence agency Norad.

North American Aerospace Defence Command said it “detected, tracked, and intercepted” two Russian Tu-95 and two Chinese H-6 warplanes operating in the Alaska Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).

The incident marked the first time the two countries’ militaries had entered the area at the same time, a US defence official told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

It was also the first time a Chinese H-6 had flown into the ADIZ – an international airspace that acts as a buffer zone with sovereign territory, where the ready identification of all aircraft is required in the interest of national security.

According to the Norad statement, US F-16 and F-35 fighter jets and Canadian CF-18s intercepted the Chinese and Russian bombers which “remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace”.

“This Russian and PRC [People’s Republic of China] 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.”