Washington

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The United States (US) said late Thursday (July 25) that a joint bomber patrol by Russia and China near Alaska was not a surprise. Addressing a press conference, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, "We closely monitored these aircraft, tracked the aircraft, intercepted the aircraft, and which demonstrates that our, you know, our forces are at the ready all the time and we have, we have very good surveillance capabilities."

"And, of course, I won't discuss any intelligence issues here at the podium. But again, this is the first time that we've seen these two countries fly together like that. They didn't, they didn't enter our airspace. I think the closest point of approach was about 200 miles off the, off of our coast," the Defense Secretary added.

A message to Moscow and Beijing

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During the press conference, Austin said the US' message to Russia and China would be, "We're going to be at the ready. We are at the ready. We will always be at the ready. We're going to defend this nation. And so, if there is a, if there is a challenge or a threat to the United States of America, your troops will be at the ready and they will do the right thing."

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"...if there is any kind of a challenge from any direction, I have every confidence that the NORTHCOM and NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) will be at the ready and will be able to intercept,” he further said.

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A look at the joint patrol

Earlier on Thursday, Russian and Chinese nuclear-capable strategic bombers patrolled near Alaska in the North Pacific and Arctic. According to NORAD, American and Canadian fighter jets had intercepted the Russian and Chinese aircraft in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Also watch | Russia & China joint air patrol near US

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In a statement, the Russian defence ministry said that Tu-95MS "Bear" strategic bombers and Chinese Xi'an H-6 strategic bombers took part in patrols over the Chukchi and Bering seas and the North Pacific.

"During the flight, Russian and Chinese crews cooperated in the new area of joint operations during all stages of the air patrol. At some stages of the route, the air group was accompanied by fighters from foreign countries," the ministry said.

It also pointed out that no foreign airspace was violated.