In a display of international vigilance, United States and Canadian fighter jets intercepted multiple Russian and Chinese bomber aircraft in international airspace off the coast of Alaska on Wednesday, as confirmed by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

According to NORAD, two Russian TU-95 and two Chinese H-6 military aircraft were "detected, tracked, and intercepted" while operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday. Fortunately, the Russian and Chinese aircraft did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace and were determined to pose no threat, according to NORAD officials.

The interceptions were carried out by U.S. F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, along with Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter jets. This response came just two days after U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks expressed concern over the "growing cooperation between the PRC and Russia in the Arctic."

During a subsequent press briefing on Thursday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reassured that the situation did not catch them off guard. "This was not a surprise to us," he stated. "We closely monitored these aircraft, tracked the aircraft, intercepted the aircraft." Austin further noted that this was the first time the U.S. had observed these two countries flying together in such a manner.

The ADIZ, where the interceptions occurred, serves as a boundary between sovereign airspace and international airspace, requiring the identification of all aircraft within for national security reasons, according to NORAD's definition.

This incident follows a similar encounter on July 21 when two U.S. Air Force B-52H bomber aircraft were intercepted by two Russian aircraft while flying over the Barents Sea. However, the U.S. aircraft maintained their course and continued along their scheduled flight plan without any incidents.

The intercepts conducted in the Alaskan airspace underscore the continued need for heightened surveillance and rapid response capabilities in the region. The increasing collaboration between Russia and China, particularly in the Arctic, has raised concerns among defense officials.

As tensions persist, the U.S. and its allies remain committed to safeguarding international airspace and protecting national security interests in the face of evolving threats.