The United States intends to send nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to northern Australia amid tensions with China, according to local media on Monday.
According to ABC News, Washington intends to station six B-52 bombers at Tindal Air Base, south of Darwin.
“The ability to deploy US Air Force bombers to Australia sends a powerful message to adversaries about our ability to project lethal air power,” the US Air Force said, according to the broadcaster.
Security analysts say the measure is a signal to China to avoid an attack on Taiwan.
“Having bombers that can range and potentially attack mainland China might be very essential in sending a signal to China that any of its activities over Taiwan could also stretch further,” the Centre for New American Security’s Becca Wasser said.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not refute the allegation on Monday, but he refused to share any information with the media.
“From time to time, we engage with our allies in the US alliance.” “There are visits to Australia, particularly Darwin, where US Marines are stationed on a rotating basis,” the prime minister told reporters in response to a query concerning the deployment of B-52s.
