US plans to deploy B-52 bombers to Australia amid China tensions

News, US November 2, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The United States is preparing to send six B-52 bombers to an air base in northern Australia amid heightened tensions with China, according to the Australian media.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Monday that Washington had drawn up detailed plans to build dedicated facilities for the aircraft at the Tindal Air Base in Australia’s Northern Territory.

“The ability to deploy US Air Force bombers to Australia sends a strong message to adversaries about our ability to project lethal air power,” the U.S. Air Force told the broadcaster.

The Australian defense department did not officially comment on the B-52 deployment. However, a spokesperson for Australia’s defense department was reported as saying that the new U.S.-funded aircraft-parking apron at an Australian air force base near the town of Katherine will be able to accommodate up to six B-52 aircraft. The timeframe of deployment of the aircraft remains unknown at the moment.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not directly respond to the development but told reporters: “We engage with our friends in the US alliance from time to time. There are visits to Australia, including in Darwin, that has US marines on a rotating basis stationed there.”

China slams planned B-52 deployment

The U.S. plans for further deployment of long-range B-52 bombers in northern Australia are seen as part of the latest effort to boost military cooperation with Australia and strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific as tensions mount with China.

The reported development has drawn criticism from China, which warned the move could spark an arms race in the region.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian urged both the U.S. and Australia to abandon an “outdated Cold War zero-sum mentality and narrow geopolitical mindset” as he repeated threats for regional stability. “Such a move by the US and Australia escalates regional tensions, gravely undermines regional peace and stability, and may trigger an arms race in the region,” Lijian said at a regular press briefing.

B-52 Stratofortress

The B-52s have been the backbone of the U.S. Air Force for more than 60 years, with the capability to deliver long-range strikes of both nuclear and precision-guided conventional weapons.

The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The aircraft can drop or launch the widest array of weapons in the U.S. inventory which includes gravity bombs, cluster bombs, precision-guided missiles, and joint direct attack munitions.

Boeing B-52H static display with weapons — *^{Munitions on display show the full capabilities of the B-52 Stratofortress. (Image Credit: U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Robert J. Horstman)}*

The B-52, which has been updated with modern technology, is capable of delivering the full complement of joint-developed weapons and would continue into the 21st century as an important element of U.S. defenses, according to U.S. Air Force.

B-52H is assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base (AFB), North Dakota, and the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, which falls under Air Force Global Strike Command. It is also assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command’s 307th Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB.