US Plans To Deploy B-52 Bombers To Australia

The United States is preparing to send six nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to an air base in northern Australia.

This comes according to the reports by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Citing US documents, ABC reported on Monday that the US had drawn up detailed plans to build dedicated facilities for the aircraft at the Tindal Air Base, about 300km (185 miles) south of the city of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory.

The US Air Force said that its ability to deploy bombers to “Australia sends a strong message to our adversaries about our ability to project lethal air power”.

Also, Al-Jazeera added that analysts said the move was a warning to China amid fears it could invade the self-ruled island of Taiwan.

The tensions with China have made northern Australia a crucial defence hub for the US and it has committed to spending $1 billion to upgrade its military assets in the region.

The B-52, designed and built by Boeing, is the most combat-capable bomber in the US inventory, according to the aircraft maker.

The long-range heavy bomber has been the backbone of the US Air Force and is able to deploy both nuclear and conventional weapons.