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Canada Jets Turn Back Russian Aircraft in the Arctic
Canadian air force jets turned back two Russian Tupolev TU-95 bombers close to Canada’s northern border yesterday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office said in a statement. The encounter with the bombers underscores the need for Canada to buy F-35 fighter jets, Harper's spokesperson said in an email, while a liberal lawmaker said Canada should avoid chastising Russia over the flights to maintain a good relationship. (www.businessweek.com) More...
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how is this still newsworthy?
Well, it's timely (it happened yesterday). That they are still occurring signals that Russia is still committed to maintaining a strike capability. Yes it has been occurring for years but I think it does bear some continued attention as probing flights by nuclear-capable aircraft are one of the more real world-harbingers of nuclear apocalypse.
The decision of whether or not to purchase US$8.5 billion dollars worth of F-35s has relevance to the aerospace industry, of which the site is a part.
Finally, a Canadian lawmaker put the question on the table as to whether Canada might stop attempting to intercept the flights.
For these reasons, to me, and hopefully others, this is newsworthy.
The decision of whether or not to purchase US$8.5 billion dollars worth of F-35s has relevance to the aerospace industry, of which the site is a part.
Finally, a Canadian lawmaker put the question on the table as to whether Canada might stop attempting to intercept the flights.
For these reasons, to me, and hopefully others, this is newsworthy.
Not to mention that the US, Canada, and the Russians are doing Joint Exercises in Alaska. So not only are they probing, but the Russians are sitting in our cockpits observing HOW we intercept. Here is a link to the AP coverage. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ivDU2zp9y1X0g3Ud91KaG40WXZggD9HE8BKO0
I would like to know if these Russian aircraft are outfitted with nuclear payloads at the times of these flights.
If the extremely poor luck that one of these aircraft in Canadian airspace has a mechanical problem and say, crashes on Canadian Soil, there's more than just an investigation and clean-up. There would be the issue of a radiological response to this disaster.
I'm less worried about a "soviet strike" as it were back in the 80's, but more worried about an aerospace disaster that could be of epic proportions.
If the extremely poor luck that one of these aircraft in Canadian airspace has a mechanical problem and say, crashes on Canadian Soil, there's more than just an investigation and clean-up. There would be the issue of a radiological response to this disaster.
I'm less worried about a "soviet strike" as it were back in the 80's, but more worried about an aerospace disaster that could be of epic proportions.
I'm with Peter. What were these Russian bombers (emphasis on bombers) carrying? Probably well-equipped. Give these guys an inch and...
Kevin, don't be a moron about this. Russia has, is and always will be concerned with first strike capabilities on the US. With their current ties to Iran and supplying them with nuclear fuel for their power plant, they are more likely to take action against us should something go wrong there. This is interesting news, never-the-less.
