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Nuclear capable bomber B-52
The Pentagon is planning to send nuclear-capable B-52 strategic bombers to Australia’s Northern Territory and establish a crucial Asia-Pacific military hub as their standoff with Beijing develops, according to reports by ABC News and Reuters on Monday.
The Australian Air Force’s Tindal air base is set to get a $100 million upgrade to accommodate up to six B-52s and a maintenance center. “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 reportedly told ABC.
Washington is already constructing a $270 million jet fuel storage facility 200 miles from Tindal on the outskirts of Darwin, while a joint US-Australian spy base near Alice Springs is reportedly undergoing an upgrade.