Explained: What Is Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ)

The air defense identification zone is the airspace of the country as well as additional areas of water and land in which a country tries to identify, locate, and control any civil aircraft except military aircraft in the interest of national security. For the air above its territory and territorial waters, there are no international rules governing air defence zones.

Legally, no international law restricts a state from establishing an ADIZ in international airspace adjacent to its national airspace. A state establishing ADIZ is seen as having the right to establish reasonable conditions of entry into its land and national airspace.

This is similar to a port asking for entry requirements for ships that are entering internal waters or a port. An aircraft coming near national airspace is required to provide identification even while in international airspace.

The Chicago Convention (Convention of International Civil Aviation) codified customary international law on state sovereignty over airspace. Article 1 of the Convention recognizes that every state has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory. The concept of an ADIZ is not defined in any international treaty and is not regulated by any international body.

Roughly, there are around 20 states that have established ADIZs in international airspace adjacent to their coasts. The United States was the first country to establish AIDZ in 1950, when it created a joint North American ADIZ with Canada. They also ate Japanese ADIZ in 1951 and later transferred the management power of the zone to Japan in 1969. Other Indo-Pacific nations that claim ADIZs include Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, and Taiwan.

China¡¯s ADIZ Regulations

In November 2013, China established an ADIZ over much of the East China Sea. They have a process for aircraft identification that must be followed by all aircraft entering their zone. Aircraft that do not cooperate based on their terms of instructions from the Chinese authorities will be subjected to undefined "defensive emergency measures."

With no restrictions on a state implementing ADIZ, the manner in which Beijing implements its ADIZ is inconsistent with international law.

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As we¡¯ve seen, an aircraft that is approaching a state¡¯s national airspace is required to follow the identification process while in international airspace, but only as a condition of entry approval. China¡¯s ADIZ procedure requirements are different.

The identification procedure applies to all aircraft transiting the zone, regardless of whether they intend to enter Chinese national airspace. It is perceived that China¡¯s ADIZ procedures are inconsistent with international law.

Air Defense Identification Zone in India

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India established ADIZ in the mid-twentieth century. Among other rules, notifications are required 10 minutes prior to entry. India has demarcated six ADIZ near its territory. They are on the international border with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar; over the Line of Actual Control with China; and two in the southern region of India.

The Indian Air Force is solely responsible for the military enforcement of the ADIZ in India. Aircraft and surface-to-air missiles of the IAF, with elements of the Army and Navy participating in their specific areas, where required, carry out interceptions. Civil aviation authorities, in conjunction with the IAF, also assist in this process by ensuring regulatory and control measures.