1-last week as Russian long-range Tu-95 bombers flew within 15 miles of U.S. airspace buffer zone, off Alaska, Denver Post website reported. Four U.S. F-15 fighters, supported by two Canadian CF-18 fighters, found and intercepted the 2 bombers. A U.S. pilot snapped a photo of the silvery Russian craft with a red star on its tail. But the bombers stayed within international airspace. Russian authorities confirm that pilots of the bombers made visual contact with the U.S. pilots during recent test flights, but they claim there were also regions where the bombers flew unnoticed.
Russian commanders had announced its first large scale heavy bomber exercises since the end of the Cold War Since 1991. An exercise in Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic regions Sept. 26-30, some fifty Tu-160s, Tu-95MSs and Tu-22Ms were involved. And the test-firing of 18 cruise missiles. Since 1991, most Russian heavy bombers have been kept on the ground. But in the last few years, a force of bombers was refurbished.
During the Cold War, U.S. – Soviet confrontation led to close encounters of this sort, with fighters scrambled to intercept and eye opposing forces. But that’s been uncommon Since 1991.
http://mosnews.com/news/2006/09/30/rusbombers.shtml
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20061002.aspx
2- The UK underestimates the threat to its future security posed by Russia, shadow defence secretary Liam Fox has warned.
Addressing a fringe meeting at the Conservative Party conference, Dr Fox claimed Russia was increasing its defence spending this year by 25%.
It was also testing more long range missiles and pouring money into two naval bases in Syria, he added. That, together with Iran’s military build-up, justified replacing Britain’s Trident nuclear weapons system.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/5403074.stm
3- Russia Warns U.S. on Planned Missile Defense Deployment in Poland
The Russian authorities will take appropriate measures if Poland deploys elements of the missile defense systems of the United States or NATO on its territory, the Interfax news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin as saying on Tuesday.
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October 4, 2006 at 12:20 am