The Practice of States on Air Defense Identification Zones: Geographical Scope, Object of Identification, and Identification Measures. (6th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Su, Jinyuan
• Is Part Of: Chinese journal of international law. Volume 18:Number 4(2019:Dec.)
• Page Start: 812
• Page End: 835
• Publication Date: 2020-02-06
• Subjects: International law -- Periodicals; International law -- China -- Periodicals; 341
• DOI: 10.1093/chinesejil/jmaa001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1540-1650

Abstract

Abstract: This note provides a survey of the practice of States on ADIZs. It is found that while some ADIZs are entirely within territorial airspace, most extend beyond the outer limit into the airspace above the EEZs and even the high seas; and in the part beyond territorial airspace, transiting aircraft are prevalently subject to identification. Transiting military aircraft, which most of the time refuse to identify themselves voluntarily by submitting a flight plan or reporting their positions, may nevertheless be identified passively through radar detection, radio communication or close visual check. As most ADIZs are within the claiming State's FIRs, transiting civil aircraft can be identified "unconsciously" through civil air traffic control. Where an ADIZ extends beyond the claiming State's FIRs, most transiting civil aircraft comply with voluntary identification measures, presumably due to the light extra burden incurred. The non-compliant are easy to identify through passive means such as radar detection and radio communication, with the use of close visual check highly unnecessary.