![]() ![]() A more open signal to the Chinese that we are going along with American planning for a war with China," Mr Tanter says. "It's very hard to think of a more open commitment that we could make. Mr Tanter sees the planned deployment of the bombers as more significant than the rotation of US Marines through Darwin each year. "It's a sign to the Chinese that we are willing to be the tip of the spear." "It's a great expansion of Australian commitment to the United States' war plan with China," says Richard Tanter, a senior research associate at the Nautilus Institute and a long-time, anti-nuclear activist. Some worry having B-52s rotating through Tindal each year locks Australia into joining the US in any conflict against China. "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 US Air Force told Four Corners.Īsked when the B-52s would begin their deployment at Tindal, Australia's Department of Defence declined to comment. The US documents say the facilities will be used for "deployed B-52 squadrons". The B-52s have been the backbone of the US Air Force for more than 60 years, with the capability to deliver long-range strikes of both nuclear and conventional weapons. The bombers are part of a much larger upgrade of defence assets across northern Australia, including a major expansion of the Pine Gap intelligence base, which would play a vital role in any conflict with Beijing. "Having bombers that could range and potentially attack mainland China could be very important in sending a signal to China that any of its actions over Taiwan could also expand further," she says. ![]() Becca Wasser from the Centre for New American Security says putting B-52s in northern Australia is a warning to China, as fears grow Beijing is preparing for an assault on Taiwan.
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