China, Russia Send Out Air Patrols In Bering Sea

The Joint Aerospace Command said two Chinese bombers and two Russian long-range bombers were tracked while flying in international waters near Alaska, and fighter jets from the United States and Canada were sent in response.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said the Chinese and Russian military activities on Wednesday were not considered a threat. On Thursday, China and Russia confirmed that they would conduct joint air patrols in the Bering Sea, which separates Russia and Alaska.

“NORAD will continue to monitor competitive activities near North America and respond to presence,” the command said in a press release.

While Russian forces have long been active in the North Pacific, China has become a new player in recent years. As its growing navy and air force have extended its presence beyond the country’s shores.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the joint patrols also flew over the Chukchi Sea, located on the Bering Strait’s north side. The Defense Ministry said Russian fighters and strategic bombers took part in the exercise. Alongside Chinese strategic bombers, which lasted more than five hours.

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for the Chinese Defense Ministry, said the joint patrols tested and improved coordination between the two countries’ air forces. He said it was the eighth joint strategic air patrol since 2019. When asked if it was the first such patrol over the Bering Sea, he declined to comment.

Further Details

NORAD said it had spotted two Chinese H-6 bombers and two Russian Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft in the U.S. Air Defense Identification Zone in North America, which is outside the airspace of the United States and Canada, which require aircraft identification for national security reasons.

A photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry showed a Russian Su-30 fighter escorting a Chinese bomber. Another photo posted online by CCTV’s military channel showed Russian and Chinese long-wing bombers flying in parallel formation in a blue sky.

The Japanese military has grown increasingly concerned about the Sino-Russian joint exercises. The potential threat they pose to Japanese and regional security.

In December, Japan’s Defense Ministry said that a formation of Russian and Chinese warplanes. Including Tu-95 and H-6 aircraft, was seen flying together over the waters between Japan and South Korea. At the time, China’s Defense Ministry called it the seventh joint strategic air patrol with Russia.

Chinese warships have appeared in international waters near Alaska several times. Most recently in mid-July when the Coast Guard spotted four vessels in the U.S. exclusive economic zone 200 nautical miles from the coast.

Zhang described the naval activity as a routine combat readiness exercise. He said China would continue to hold naval exercises to improve the capabilities of its forces.