Russian air patrols in the Arctic : are long-range bomber patrols a challenge to canadian security and sovereignty?

• Main Authors: Lasserre, Frédéric, Têtu, Pierre-Louis
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: Northern Research Forum 2016
• Subjects: Arctique > Aspect stratégique; Canada > Frontières; Russie > Relations extérieures > 1991-; Canada > Relations extérieures > 21e siècle; Observation aérienne (Science militaire); Arctic; Canada; Nunavut; Arctique*
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11794/11968

Western, and especially Canadian media reported, especially during the period 2007-2011, a significant number of Russian air patrols in the Arctic. These patrols were often described as potential threats for the Canadian security and sovereignty. However, a comparative analysis of the frequency of Russian air patrols in the Arctic and in other areas of operation attest to the rather low level of activity of the Russian air force. This suggests the narrative about the would-be Russian air threat reflects either misinformation or an oriented political discourse.