Push for stealth bombers over missiles and nuclear subs

Australia should consider buying the world’s most advanced stealth bomber – the US’s newly-unveiled B-21 – to secure a long-range strike capability that would impose a massive cost on potential attackers, a new report says.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute report argues the B-21 could be a better option than long-range missiles to deliver the deterrence the government is looking for against China.

Australia should consider buying the world’s most advanced stealth bomber – the US’s newly-unveiled B-21 – to secure a long-range strike capability that would impose a massive cost on potential attackers, a new report says.

As China improves its ability to strike targets in Australia, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute report argues the B-21 could be a better option than long-range missiles to deliver the deterrence the government is looking for in its urgent capability overhaul.

The report, by Marcus Hellyer and Andrew Nicholls, found a squadron of 12 B-21’s would likely cost $25bn-$28bn, not including weapons or maintenance, which would make it the nation’s most expensive platform before the ­arrival of advanced new frigates and nuclear submarines.

The authors urge the Albanese government to talk to the Biden administration about the aircraft’s viability for Australia, noting that “things that were inconceivable, such as an Australian nuclear-powered submarine capability, are now being actively pursued”.

The B-21, designed by Northrop Grumman, was unveiled in California just over a week ago, with RAAF chief Air Marshal Robert Chipman among those in the audience.

The sixth-generation stealth aircraft has a “flying wing” design like its predecessor the B-2, with a low-radar signature and an estimated range of 4000km-5000km, giving it the ability to strike mainland China from Australia without refuelling.

The report says the B-21 would fulfil Defence Minister Richard Marles’ requirement for “impactful projection” that would place “a very large question mark” in the mind of an adversary.

“As well as being able to reach places that fighter aircraft can’t reach from Australian mainland bases, the B-21 can carry significantly more munitions than the F-35A,” it says.

“A small number of B-21s can carry as many stand-off land-strike weapons as an entire (Royal Australian Navy) task force, with the advantage that the B-21 can ­return to base and reload in hours, while ships and submarines require transits to facilities in southern Australia that can take weeks.”

The report says the urgency of the threat is compounded by uncertainty over the US’s ability to meet all military contingencies that arise in the Indo-Pacific due to its global commitments, and Australia’s looming submarine “capability gap” before the arrival of nuclear-powered boats in the 2040s.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute has listed advantages the B-21 stealth bomber has over a nuclear submarine.

“The B-21 isn’t a submarine, but it can potentially do some of the things a submarine can do, albeit in a different way,” the report says. It says about 300 personnel would be required to maintain and operate a fleet of 12 B-21s, far less than the 2000-plus submariners the nation will need to operate ­nuclear subs.

The report also looks at using land-based missiles to provide the deterrence that would force an ­adversary to reconsider attacking Australia, arguing there is no current option used by Western countries with comparable range to a bomber.

Hypersonic missiles being ­developed will have greater range than existing missiles but will “be a very expensive way to deliver a relatively small amount of high explosive”.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said last week it was too early to discuss whether the US would consider selling the B-21 to Australia but one of America’s most prestigious military think tanks, the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, said the B-21 would be an ideal option for the RAAF.

Mr Marles has previously indicated the government’s defence strategic review, due to report in March, will look at the capability.