PMO statement on CF-18s shadowing Russian aircraft

Here's the full text of the PMO's statement about the CF-18 aircraft that intercepted Russian aircraft:

On 24 August, two CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft were launched and visually identified 2 Russian aircraft, the TU-95 Bear, approximately 120 nautical miles north of Inuvik, Northwest Territories. At their closest point, the Russian aircraft were 30 nautical miles from Canadian soil.  The CF-18s shadowed the Bear aircraft until they turned around. The two CF-18s came from 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta.

Thanks to the rapid response of the Canadian Forces, at no time did the Russian aircraft enter sovereign Canadian airspace.

We are happy to report that CF aircraft returned to their base without incident.

NORAD carefully monitors all air activities in the North and considers all options to protect the air sovereignty of Canada and the United States.

The Harper Government has ensured our Forces have the tools, the readiness and the personnel to continue to meet any challenges to Canadian sovereignty with a robust response.

This is true today, it will be true tomorrow and it will be true well into the future.

The CF-18 is an incredible aircraft that enables our Forces to meet Russian challenges in our North. That proud tradition will continue after the retirement of the CF-18 fleet as the new, highly capable and technologically-advanced F-35 comes into service. It is the best plane our Government could provide our Forces, and when you are a pilot staring down Russian long range bombers, that's an important fact to remember.

The Prime Minister, who is currently in the Canadian North for his annual Arctic tour, was briefed during and at the conclusion of the mission.