Russian Air Force About To Conduct An Open Skies Treaty Observation Mission Over Canada’s Arctic....

According to Canadian Department of National Defence officials, Russian officials, and open sources, from Jul. 22 to Jul. 27, an inspection team from the Russian Federation will be conducting an Open Skies Treaty overflight of Canada, in accordance with the provisions laid out in the Treaty on Open Skies.

Members of the Department of National Defence Strategic Joint Staff Arms Control Verification (SJS ACV) team will be aboard the Russian Federation treaty-certified Tupolev Tu-154M LK-1, to monitor the observation flight, and ensure compliance with all aspects of the treaty and flight safety while in Canadian airspace. The digital electro-optical sensor the Russian Air Force (RuAF) will be using has the same capabilities as the other sensors installed in their other Open Skies Treaty certified planes, including their Antonov An-30B, and their most recently certified plane, their Tupolev Tu-214ON. The digital electro-optical sensor conforms to all limits outlined in the treaty, capturing imagery visible and NIR spectrum, at a maximum resolution of 30cm.