The United States scrambled fighter jets after it detected a Russian intelligence and surveillance plane near Alaska.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) sent an E-3, two F-16s and one KC-135 tanker to intercept a Russian IL-20 COOT plane flying in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Thursday.

“The Russian military aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace,” NORAD said. “This Russian activity in the Alaskan (airspace) occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat.”

It added: “NORAD employs a layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars and fighter aircraft to detect and track aircraft and inform appropriate actions. NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America.”

This is a developing story. More to follow.