Over the weekend, Russian military aircraft repeatedly entered the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) while Russian and Chinese naval forces conducted significant joint exercises in the Pacific, known as Ocean 2024.
This large-scale display of naval strength is aimed at signaling power to the West. During these drills, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected Russian aircraft operating within the Alaska ADIZ.
Routine Flybys or a New Reality?
From Friday to Sunday, NORAD tracked Russian military planes, including Tu-142s and IL-38s, as they operated in the Alaska ADIZ. Although these aircraft did not enter U.S. or Canadian airspace, NORAD described the activity as routine and not a threat. The command did not release images or confirm any intercepts, though US fighter jets were likely on standby.
This frequent presence of Russian aircraft in sensitive zones may indicate a new norm rather than isolated incidents, especially considering the simultaneous naval exercises by Russia and China.
Ocean 2024: A Joint Display of Naval Power
The Russian Navy recently concluded Ocean 2024, one of the largest naval exercises in recent years. This exercise involved over 400 warships, submarines, and support vessels, along with 120 naval aircraft and 90 000 personnel from various Russian fleets. The exercise spanned across the Pacific, Arctic, Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic seas.
Source: Russian Embassy Sri Lanka
China also participated, sending four warships, including the cruiser CNS Wuxi and destroyer CNS Xining, to join the Russian Navy. The joint forces conducted a range of drills, including anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and mine-clearance operations. They repelled mock air attacks with live artillery and navigated through mine-infested waters.
Looking Ahead: Geopolitical Implications
The increased frequency of Russian aircraft in the Alaska ADIZ and the growing number of joint Russian-Chinese naval drills suggest rising geopolitical tensions. While NORAD and other Western militaries consider these activities routine, experts believe they reflect a broader strategy by Russia and China to assert their naval power and challenge existing global naval dominance.
