Australia’s Government owned ABCNews, October 30/31, 2022, reports:
"The United States is preparing to deploy up to six nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to northern Australia, a provocative move experts say is aimed squarely at China.
An investigation by [ABC TV Program] Four Corners can reveal Washington is planning to build dedicated facilities for the giant aircraft at Tindal air base [at Katherine, 320 km southeast] of Darwin.
The US has drawn up detailed plans for what it calls a "squadron operations facility" for use during the Northern Territory dry season, an adjoining maintenance centre and a parking area for "six B-52s".
See the full ABC reporthere.
Pete Comment
This more than symbolic story comes within limits that:
- the necessary B-52 parking area at Tindal might only be completed by 2026
and
- Tindal might only be fully B-52 usable for 5 months a year, around May to September, during the tropical area's "Dry Season".
US bombers have been visiting Australia’s Northern Territory for years. See Submarine Matters’January 2019 article"US B-2, B-52 and B-1 Bombers Exercising in Australia".
Still the ABC report represents progress in US support for Australia. B-52s can carry conventional and nuclear weapons and could store them at Tindal during periods of high tension with China.
The ABC report could be a curtain raiser for a possible Australian interest in purchasing nuclear-capable US B-21 stealth bombers, for delivery to Aus by 2030 or so.
In that regard tomorrow (November 1, 2022) Australia’s Defence Strategic Review might be presenting a probably ambiguous “Interim Big Picture Report”.
That Review may be more explicit on February 1, 2023, when it presents its “Final Report”with Recommendations.