U.S. plans to deploy B-52 bombers to Australia’s north-ABC report By Reuters

SYDNEY (Reuters) – America is planning to deploy as much as six nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to an air base in northern Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) reported on Monday, a transfer which might additional inflame tensions with Beijing.

Devoted services for the bombers will probably be arrange at Australian air power’s distant Tindal base, about 300 km (190 miles) south of Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern territory, ABC’s 4 Corners programme reported, citing U.S. paperwork.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles’ workplace didn’t instantly reply to a request looking for remark.

America has drawn up detailed plans for what it calls a “squadron operations facility” to be used in the course of the Northern Territory dry season, an adjoining upkeep centre and a parking space for the B-52s, the ABC report mentioned.

The power to deploy the long-range bombers to Australia sends a powerful message to adversaries about Washington’s potential to venture deadly air energy, the U.S. Air Pressure was quoted as saying within the report.

Australia’s Northern Territory already hosts frequent army collaborations with the USA. Hundreds of U.S. marines rotate by way of the territory yearly for coaching and joint workouts, first began underneath President Obama.

Earlier this yr, the U.S. deployed 4 B-52s to its Andersen Air Pressure base in Guam.

Final yr, the USA, Britain and Australia created a safety deal that may present Australia with the expertise to deploy nuclear-powered submarines, riling China.

Placing B-52s in Australia, that might attain and doubtlessly assault mainland China, will probably be a warning to Beijing, as fears develop on an assault on Taiwan, Becca Wasser, senior fellow on the Washington, D.C.-based Centre for a New American Safety, informed the ABC.