ANJ, August 13 - In July 2024, a significant military event unfolded near Alaska when nuclear-capable Chinese H-6K bombers, alongside Russian Tu-95MS bombers, conducted joint patrols within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), prompting intercepts by U.S. and Canadian fighter jets. This marked the first instance of Chinese and Russian bombers operating together in this region, a development that initially appeared as a provocative political signal aimed at the United States. Historically, Russia has conducted such flights near Alaska since the Cold War, but China’s participation was unprecedented, raising questions about Beijing’s intentions. A report by Derek Solen, a researcher at the U.S. Air Force’s China Aerospace Studies Institute, provides critical insight into the motives behind these flights, suggesting they were not solely political but tied to broader strategic objectives. The patrols, which occurred over the Bering Sea and northern Pacific, involved advanced Chinese H-6N bombers capable of carrying nuclear payloads and launching long-range cruise missiles, highlighting a new dimension in China’s military capabilities.
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Solen’s analysis indicates that the joint flights were likely a demonstration of China’s progress in completing its nuclear triad, which includes intercontinental ballistic missiles, ballistic missile submarines, and nuclear-capable bombers. The deployment of the H-6N, with a range of 3,700 miles and the ability to launch KD-21 cruise missiles with a 1,300-mile range, underscores China’s intent to showcase its long-range strike capabilities. The July 24, 2024, patrol saw two H-6Ks and two Tu-95s taking off from a Russian air base, a first for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), which had never before sortied from a foreign country or approached U.S. territory in this manner. A subsequent flight on November 30, 2024, brought H-6Ns within cruise missile range of Guam, suggesting possible training for a nuclear strike scenario. This move aligns with China’s broader military modernization, particularly its focus on integrating bombers into its strategic arsenal, a capability that was less developed compared to its missile forces.
Beyond military objectives, the flights may have served as a strategic warning to the United States against expanding nuclear-sharing arrangements with allies like Japan and South Korea. Solen posits that China fears the integration of U.S. alliances in Europe and Asia into a global, nuclear-armed coalition, which could counterbalance Beijing’s growing influence. The timing of the patrols, however, complicates the narrative of a purely political signal. For instance, while the flights followed a July 2024 NATO summit that criticized China’s support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine, the November patrol near Guam occurred months later, suggesting a focus on operational readiness rather than immediate political retaliation. The coincidence of these flights with the PLAAF’s adoption of the H-6N in 2019 and infrastructure upgrades at the 106th Brigade’s base further supports the idea that China was testing its operational capabilities rather than solely sending a geopolitical message.
The joint patrols also reflect the deepening military cooperation between China and Russia, a partnership that has grown since their first joint bomber flight in 2019 over the Sea of Japan. While the flights remained in international airspace and adhered to international law, their proximity to U.S. territory—approximately 200 miles from Alaska’s coast—underscored the evolving security dynamics in the Arctic and Pacific. The U.S. response, involving F-16s, F-35s, and Canadian CF-18s, demonstrated robust surveillance and interception capabilities, with NORAD emphasizing that the activity was not a direct threat. However, the patrols signal China’s increasing interest in the Arctic, potentially leveraging Russia’s regional presence to project power closer to the U.S. homeland. As China continues to modernize its air forces and expand its strategic reach, these flights may foreshadow more frequent operations, either with Russia or independently, challenging the U.S. to maintain vigilance in an increasingly contested region.