Speculation about Australia's B-21 bombers has grown since August when Defense Minister Richard Marles admitted that Canberra was looking into the possibility of purchasing a fleet of bombers as part of the Australian government's defense strategy review, which will advise on military spending priorities for the next decade and beyond.
Also in August, US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said Washington would consider providing Australia with B-21 bombers, although it has not been confirmed whether the two countries have discussed purchases.
Although some analysts have expressed doubts about the sale of the B-21 by the United States, some believe that AUKUS (the Asia-Pacific Alliance of Britain, the United States and Australia) makes it likely that Australia will purchase this strategic bomber .
B21 is called a sixth-generation stealth bomber. The US military believes that it can penetrate strict air defense systems without being detected. Military experts say the B-21 will help Australia deter attacks and enhance its strike capabilities.
Australia did buy a US military strategic bomber in history, which is the F-111C Aardvark fighter-bomber in the picture. Although it does not have the intercontinental range like the B-52, through aerial refueling, the combat radius of this type of bomber is also small when fully loaded. It exceeded 3,500 kilometers. When the US military carried out "Operation Golden Canyon" against Libya in April 1986, the F-111 took off from the British base and crossed almost half of the Mediterranean. It bombed Gaddafi's field camps and important military facilities in Libya, achieving considerable results.
On December 2, 2011, all 24 F-111Cs were retired from the Australian Air Force, but after more than ten years, Australia began to pursue the idea of B21 strategic bombers. Since the United States and Britain can sell the nuclear submarine to Australia, there are no export barriers for the B21 bomber , as long as Australia can afford it.
But the "Australian Strategic Policy Institute" reported on December 12: The Australian Air Force establishes a squadron of 12 B-21s, and the purchase and use costs will be huge! It will also greatly limit other defense expenditures, thus having a substantial impact on the security situation of the entire Australia. The United States does not want Australia to weaken itself in this way.
According to Reuters report, the nuclear submarines purchased by Australia will not be built until 2030, and each one will cost US$10 billion on average! Although B21 is not that expensive, it is still possible for you to get one billion US dollars!
At the same time, military experts also pointed out, what external threats does Australia face? Who are you dealing with buying such expensive gear?
If Australia buys this type of intercontinental bomber, other countries are likely to target medium-range missiles at Australia! Last month, Australia allowed B-52H bombers to station at the airport in northern Australia, which has threatened its own security. Other countries will not consider whether these B-52s carry air-launched nuclear cruise missiles. In wartime, they will definitely use medium-range missiles with nuclear warheads to destroy these nuclear bombers! And Australia allows these nuclear bombers to be deployed on its own territory, and it is not unjust to be attacked by nuclear weapons.
