The Coalition is urging the government to investigate acquiring a fleet of American-made, long-range stealth bombers. This proposition, championed by Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson, is framed as a measure to bolster Australia's strike capability far from its shores, particularly as a contingency against potential delays or issues within the AUKUS submarine pact. The B-21 stealth bomber, specifically, has been highlighted as a potential candidate.
Paterson articulated this stance in a recent address, noting that such an acquisition could serve as a crucial stop-gap. He acknowledged the apparent contradiction of pursuing expensive, crewed platforms like bombers alongside a growing emphasis on less costly, unmanned technologies such as drones. The proposal, however, is explicitly stated as not yet Coalition policy.
This call comes at a time of shifts within the Department of Defence, with a new secretary recently announced. Concurrently, a British parliamentary inquiry has reportedly raised concerns regarding the AUKUS project. The Coalition has also consistently maintained that defence spending requires a substantial increase, suggesting the AUKUS program alone would necessitate greater investment than currently planned.
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