The US is in talks to base long-range bombers in Australia, US defense officials said, within striking distance of the disputed South China Sea, a move that could inflame tensions with China.
The deployments could include B-1 bombers and an expansion of B-52 bomber missions, said Lieutenant Colonel Damien Pickart, a spokesman for the US Air Force in the Pacific, adding that discussions were continuing and no decisions had yet been reached.
“These bomber rotations provide opportunities for our airmen to advance and strengthen our regional alliances and provide [Pacific Air Forces] and US Pacific Command leaders with a credible global strike and deterrence capability to help maintain peace and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region,” Pickart said.
The US does not currently fly B-1 bombers from Australia, but does conduct periodic B-52 missions.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull declined to comment on the discussions.
“I can just assure you that everything we do in this area is very carefully determined to ensure that our respective military forces work together as closely as possible in our mutual national interests,” he told reporters yesterday.
Should an agreement be reached, it would position further US military aircraft close to the disputed South China Sea and risk angering China, analysts said.
“China will see it in the context of the [Australian Defence] White Paper which they have already mentioned that they expressed a certain degree of dissatisfaction,” said Euan Graham, director of the International Security Program at Sydney-based think tank the Lowy Institute.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern.
“Cooperation among relevant counties should protect regional peace and stability, and not target the interests of third parties,” Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hong Lei (洪磊) told a daily news briefing.
Australia last month committed to increase defense spending by nearly A$30 billion (US$22 billion), seeking to protect its strategic and trade interests in the Asia-Pacific region as the US and its allies grapple with China’s rising power.
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