As a key ally of the United States, Australia has received a "positive signal" that it may one day acquire the newest B-21 Raider stealth bomber. In fact, during the launch of the B-21 Raider on December 2, the US specifically invited the Chief of Staff of the Australian Air Force to the 'limited' event, in addition to the British Air Force Chief of Staff also attending the event.
So, after the polemic about the procurement of the Australian F-35A which was considered the 'biggest mistake', efforts have now appeared to 'compare' the effectiveness of the procurement of the F-35A, which is considered too large in number.
Australian defense analysts are pressing their government to buy B-21 Raider bombers to gain long-range strike capability against China. Quoted from eurasiantimes.com, Marcus Hellyer and Andrew Nicholls, defense analysts who write through the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), a major Australian think tank, that the country of Kangaroos must analyze the use of B-21 bombers as an option for long-range attacks.
The B-21 Raider is a heavy strategic stealth bomber designed to carry both nuclear and conventional weapons. While the B-21's range and payload are still unknown, experts estimate the stealth bomber can cover a range of 9,600 kilometers and carry a weapons payload of 10 tonnes.
Stealth bombers costing nearly US$700 million per aircraft, according to an ASPI report cited by Hellyer and Nicholls, could increase the Australian Defense Force's (ADF) strike power in 2032–33.
“As a highly stealthy bomber that can deliver massive amounts of ordnance throughout our immediate vicinity, the B-21 is the gold standard in strike capability. and potentially used in 2032–33. But that ability comes at a cost,” wrote Hellyer and Nicolls.
According to the two defense analysts, the total acquisition cost for one squadron consisting of 12 B-21 Raider units is US$25–US$28 billion. However, they wrote that "several factors could potentially offset the cost".
Both analysts suggest that the Australian government should weigh the heavy costs for this bomber against the advantages it can provide. According to a recent ASPI report, as cited by Hellyer and Nicholls, the annual maintenance cost of a fleet of 12 B-21s could be around US$500 million per year.
However, the ASPI report also confirms that the B-21 Raider can accomplish missions that the F-35A fighter jet cannot accomplish under any circumstances.
One B-21 is Equivalent to Six F-35A Fighters
In its 2020 defense strategic update, the Australian government is calling for investment in long-range strike capabilities to counter the Chinese threat. Even though China is 7,400 kilometers from Australia, Canberra sees Beijing as a threat.
As is known, Australia has purchased the JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range) missile to complement the Super Hornet and F-35A Lightning II jets, which allows the RAAF to attack targets from a distance of up to 900 kilometers.
However, the F-35A cannot reach the South China Sea without mid-air refueling. Even so, in the midst of the conflict, the availability of air tankers was in doubt in the contested airspace.
In addition, the F-35A's effective combat radius is only about 1,000 kilometers, and with tanker aircraft, that range could be extended to around 1,500 kilometers. This means that even if the F-35A is armed with the JASSM-ER missile, the RAAF can only engage targets up to a maximum range of 2,500 kilometers.
With the ability to launch hypersonic ballistic missiles, China already has long-range strike capabilities across Australia, including long-range bombers and missiles that can disable F-35As on the ground before they even go into action.
Therefore, the B-21 Raider can be a game changer for Australia, because it can reach far into the Indo-Pacific region without the need for tanker support. Also, the B-21 can carry more ammunition than the F-35. The report states that the B-21 can carry around 12 anti-ship missiles compared to the F-35A's two.
One B-21 may be able to carry the equivalent of at least six F-35As. Its great range, advanced stealth technology and massive maneuverability allow the B-21 to operate alone, which is an advantage over a 'standard' strike package, which includes dozens of attack aircraft and few other support assets.
For example, in the case of Australia, which has a limited number of support assets, a six F-35A strike pack operating at the limit of its refueling range would require several tankers out of the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) only seven.
In addition, the F-35A's strike package as such is no longer stealthy, meaning it will require multiple EA-18G Growler aircraft to suppress enemy air defense systems. Growler of course also requires the presence of tanker aircraft.
Additionally, the strike package will also include the E-7A Wedgetail AWACS platform for airspace combat management, which may require escorting and refueling its fighters.
For self-defense, the E-7A can be equipped with flares and chaff.
By comparison, the B-21 may not need tankers at all, and can carry as much ordnance as six F-35As; plus, it's a stealth platform. All of this means that entire battle plans can be simplified, executed more quickly, and with less chance of disruption.
The ASPI report notes that for the F-35A strike package to reach its target it needs to operate from northern Australia, where fuel is limited and must be supplied from southern Australia via rail or truck fleets. In contrast, the B-21 could be located deep inside southern Australia, where it is more easily supplied with fuel and ammunition and far beyond the reach of various enemy threat systems.
The secretary of the US Air Force (USAF), Frank Kendall, indicated in August 2022 that Washington could consider providing Australia with a long-range B-21 Raider bomber if Canberra so requests.
Kendall was on a visit to Australia at the time and was being hosted by Australia's Air Chief of Staff, Air Marshal Robert Chipman, when reporters asked him if the US would consider allowing Australia to join in the development of the B-21 to give the RAAF a long-range strike capability.
If the US decides to include Australia in the B-21 bomber program, it will be the next important milestone in defense cooperation between the two countries after last year's trilateral AUKUS agreement, as part of the US and UK helping Australia acquire nuclear powered submarines.
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