Over the neutral waters of the Pacific Ocean: Russian Tu-142 flew along the coast of the United States and Canada

Two long-range anti-submarine aircraft Tu-142 of the Russian Navy carried out a planned flight over the neutral waters of the Pacific Ocean. The aircraft route ran along the west coast of Alaska and Canada.

“Two long-range anti-submarine aircraft of the Pacific Fleet’s naval aviation Tu-142 completed a planned flight in airspace over the neutral waters of the Pacific Ocean along the northern coast of the Aleutian Islands and the western coast of Alaska and Canada,” RIA Novosti quoted the press service of the Eastern Military District (BBO) .

It is also noted that combat vehicles were accompanied by two high-altitude fighter-interceptor MiG-31BM naval aircraft of the Pacific Fleet. Fighter pilots met anti-submarine aircraft and contacted the crews via radio. In addition, the Tu-142 refuel in the air.

“During the 13-hour non-stop flight, the tankers of the IL-78 Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out air refueling of anti-submarine aircraft,” the message added.

The Ministry of Defense emphasized that the flights were carried out in strict accordance with the International Rules for the Use of Airspace.

“No one has such aircraft”

According to experts, anti-submarine Tu-142 compares favorably with foreign vehicles. Design features allow them to stay in the air for a long time and cover significant distances.

“These are turboprop aircraft, so their flight range for fuel reserves is many thousands of kilometers. They are designed to patrol the regions of the oceans, to control the water situation ... Nobody really has such airplanes. If we are talking about airplanes of the base patrol aviation of the Oreon or Neptune type, which the United States and its allies in this region are equipped with, then these are slightly different planes than our Tu-142. Whenever possible they can patrol and control the situation, they have less potential parameters, ”Viktor Murakhovsky, editor-in-chief of Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine, told RT.

He noted that the Tu-142 aircraft, which are in service with the Russian Ministry of Defense, were built in Soviet times, but underwent a deep modernization. In particular, they now have installed modern navigation systems based on the capabilities of the GLONASS space system, as well as equipment for satellite communications.

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“If we talk about the region, which is the zone of responsibility of the Pacific Fleet, we are primarily interested in the activities of the American fleet. The United States Pacific Command, whose Pacific and Indian Oceans are responsible, is the largest overseas command in the United States. Considering that at least one US carrier strike force and usually one or two amphibious assault forces are constantly operating in this region, we are obliged to monitor the situation in the open sea, including to ensure the security of our country, ”Murakhovsky explained.

The advantages of the Tu-142 in an interview with RT were also emphasized by a military expert, retired colonel Viktor Litovkin. According to him, the task of the Tu-142 is to search for enemy submarines, mark their places in the ocean and point ships and planes at them. If necessary, the Tu-142 crew can influence the enemy with electronic warfare systems.

“He (Tu-142. - RT ) is a scout and can stay in the air for a long time, performing his combat mission, despite the opposition of a potential enemy. He has a system of electronic warfare, with which he can suppress some actions on the part of the enemy, ”said Litovkin.

At the same time, he emphasized that Tu-142 always fly accompanied by interceptor fighters. In addition, IL-78 refueling tanks are often on duty in the flight zones of these anti-submarine ships.

“Refueling is a difficult operation, but our pilots have this skill,” the expert added.

Earlier, in November 2018, the Tu-142 flew over the neutral waters of the Norwegian Sea. During the performance of a combat mission, a Russian plane passed near NATO ships, which were carrying out maneuvers at that time. In particular, reporters aboard Mount Whitney, an American warship, spoke of his approach.

Et soudain, un Tupolev au-dessus du navire-amiral de l '# Otan: la Russie s'invite dans les grandes manoeuvres # TridentJuncture18 (photos exclusives de @jnackstrand) https://t.co/ZJthkcDhcT#AFPpic.twitter. com / eIgCoRUTFG

The Ministry of Defense confirmed the fact of the Tu-142 flight, emphasizing that it was planned and passed in accordance with all international rules.