The United States Navy monitors Chinese and Russian naval exercises near Alaska

@DefAviation ES 8·09·2023 · 20:08 0

Increasingly close cooperation between Russia and communist China has taken the form of a new joint exercise of their navies.

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Last weekend, the US newspaper The Wall Street Journal indicated that eleven ships Russian and Chinese war fighters sailed near the Aleutian Islands, an archipelago that is part of the State of Alaska, in what appears to be the largest flotilla ever to approach US shores. > Retired US Army Captain Brent Sadler of the Heritage Foundation noted that "this move is highly provocative."

USNI News reported Sunday that four US Navy destroyers were deployed to keep a close eye on that Russian and Chinese flotilla: USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), the USS Benfold (DDG-65), USS USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) and USS John Finn (DDG-113), all Arleigh Burke class. In addition, the US Navy also deployed a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

This Monday, Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder, told reporters: "What I would say is that NORAD and NORTHCOM monitored their presence. They were in international waters.". The general added: "At no point in time were they deemed to pose a threat. And so like any country, they are free to conduct exercises in international airspace, international waters . Ryder also noted: "We will continue to monitor but I think that it's no surprise to anyone that China and Russia continue to look at ways to cooperate. And we'll continue to monitor the situation and follow up on that."

Last Saturday, Republican Senators from Alaska Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan released a statement noting: "The incursion by 11 Chinese and Russian warships operating together – off the coast of Alaska – is yet another reminder that we have entered a new era of authoritarian aggression led by the dictators in Beijing and Moscow."

Senator Sullivan added: "Last summer the Chinese and Russian navies conducted a similar operation off the coast of Alaska. Given that our response was tepid, I strongly encouraged senior military leaders to be ready with a much more robust response should such another joint Chinese/Russian naval operation occur off our coast. For that reason, I was heartened to see that this latest incursion was met with four U.S. Navy destroyers, which sends a strong message to Xi Jinping and Putin that the United States will not hesitate to protect and defend our vital national interests in Alaska."

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Photo: Sun Zifa/China News Service. China and Russia warships in the Tsugaru Strait during the Joint Sea-2021 naval exercise on October 18, 2021, in the Pacific Ocean.