B-52 bombers destined for Australia

The United States is reportedly planning to deploy up to six nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to an air base in northern Australia.

Dedicated facilities will be set up at the Royal Australian Air Force’s Tindal base, about 305 miles south of Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Washington has reportedly drawn up detailed plans for a ‘squadron operations facility’ for use during the dry season, together with a maintenance centre and a parking area for the bombers.

The US Air force was quoted as saying the ability to deploy the bombers to Australia sends a strong message to adversaries.

The move comes amid heightened tensions in the Pacific between the US and China.

B-52s have a combat range of about 14,000km, and stationing them in Australia will serve as a ‘warning’ to Beijing, Becca Wasser, a senior fellow at the Washington DC-based Centre for a New American Security, told ABC.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said: ‘The relevant practices of the US side have increased tensions in the region, seriously undermined regional peace and stability, and may trigger an arms race in the region.

‘China urges the parties concerned to abandon the old Cold War zero-sum mentality and narrow geopolitical concepts and do more to contribute to regional peace and stability and to enhance mutual trust.’

Australia’s Northern Territory frequently plays host to military collaborations with the US.

In 2021 the US, Britain and Australia agreed to a security deal known as “AUKUS” to provide Australia with the technology to deploy nuclear-powered submarines, much to the annoyance of China.

Australia also hosts the Pine Gap satellite surveillance base in the centre of the country. The base is partially run by the CIA and NSA.