US B-52 bombers have flown over Australia for decades.Credit:AP
The US Defence Department has budgeted $23 million for the construction of the new “squadron operations facility” at Tindal.
The US Air Force told the program:“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 RAAF’s ability to host USAF bombers,as well as train alongside them,demonstrates how integrated our two air forces are.”
None of the B-52s,or any other aircraft,would be able to carry nuclear weapons while visiting Australia under international treaties Australia has signed.
The South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty,signed by Australia in 1985,prohibits member states from stationing nuclear explosive devices in their territories.
The move would represent an important deepening of US-Australia military ties according to Malcolm Davis,a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute,and also increase the likelihood of Australian involvement in a conflict over Taiwan.
“It’s a very sensible move on Australia’s part to strengthen integrated deterrence as a way to dissuade China from making a move on Taiwan,” he said.
“If you want to avoid a war you have to present a united front against China rather than suggest Australia would stay out of the war.”