U.S. nuclear bombers find home in Australia as China tensions rise

War threat leads to upgrade of military ties between Canberra, Washington

20221108 B-52

A B-52 Stratofortress prepares for refueling over Afghanistan during a close-air-support mission in this undated handout photo.  © U.S. Air Force/Reuters

JJ ROSE, Contributing writer

MELBOURNE -- A small airfield in northern Australia is slated to permanently host a fleet of U.S. B-52 bombers as part of an agreement between Washington and Canberra to prepare for the possibility of war over Taiwan.

The deal will see a deployment of up to six nuclear-capable aircraft, putting them within striking distance of a Pacific theater should war with China break out. A $1 billion upgrade of the Royal Australian Air Force's Tindal base south of Darwin is already underway.

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