US Air Force ‘Heavy Bombers’ has landed in Indonesia.
Amid escalating tensions with China in the Western Pacific and efforts
by Washington to strengthen alliances, two B-52 Stratofortress bombers from
the United States Air Force (USAF) recently arrived in the archipelago.
The mission was carried out by the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) and
Pacific Air Forces (PAF). Originally from the 23rd Bomb Squadron at Minot
Air Force Base (AFB) in North Dakota, the B-52s departed from Guam's Andersen AFB.
These two B-52s are part of a group of four bombers that arrived in Guam after
departing from Minot AFB on June 12 and June 14.
Their deployment is part of a Bomber Task Force (BTF) rotation in the Indo-Pacific.
BTF rotations involve the deployment of USAF
bombers worldwide and typically last a little over a month.
In this video, Defense Updates analyses why B-52 in Indonesia is a nightmare for China?
Let's get into the details.
Although B-52s have previously conducted exercises with Jakarta's military in Indonesian
airspace back in September 2021, they had not previously landed at an airbase in the country.
It was also the first time B-52s participated in joint exercises with the Indonesian Air Force.
Prior to landing, the B-52s were welcomed by two Indonesian F-16s
from Rosemin Nurjadin Air Force Base (AFB) in Pekanbaru, as depicted in the photos.
Viewers may note that Indonesia has around 30 American-made F-16 fighter jets.
During the early 1980s, Indonesia began exploring different alternatives to replace a portion of
its existing OV-10F Bronco aircraft fleet. The need for these aircraft was particularly vital
in safeguarding Indonesia's significant gas interests in the South China Sea.
Ultimately, in 1986, the Indonesian Air Force made the decision to acquire the
F-16 Fighting Falcon as the chosen replacement aircraft.
The Pacific Air Forces or PACAF spokesperson said the bomber deployment is part of a larger effort
to “deter, deny and dominate aggression” and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The PACAF spokesperson stated,
“This training enables our Airmen to become familiar with other theaters and airspace,
and enhances the enduring skills and relationships necessary to confront
a broad range of global challenges in support of the National Defense Strategy,”
According to a PACAF statement. “Integrating strategic bombers,
such as the B-52, in operations and exercises enables different types of strategic bombers
to operate forward in the Indo-Pacific region from a broad array of overseas and continental
U.S. locations with greater operational resilience. Bomber missions contribute to
joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by demonstrating USAF ability
to operate anywhere in the world at any time in support of the National Defense Strategy.”
The maneuvers were described as “bilateral,
tactical training” drills that undertook “tactical fighter capabilities, evaluate
proficiency, identify future training, and enhance capabilities integral to a
variety of bilateral missions,” according to a statement from the US Embassy in Indonesia.
Photos showed both the air forces’ F-16s carrying inert as well as live Advanced Medium-Range
Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and Sidewinder missiles indicating Basic Fighter Maneuvers
(BFM) like dogfighting, air interdiction, and air superiority will have taken place.
The
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber
in service with the US Air Force. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing,
which has continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been operated by the United
States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s and with upgrades, is supposed to serve into the 2040s.
It has a typical combat range of more than 8,800 miles or 14,080 km without
aerial refueling. The massive range enables B-52 to take on strategic bombing missions.
The powerful engines also enable B-52 to carry up to 70,000 pounds or 32,000 kg of weapons.
While B-52 seems like a vulnerable platform because of its large radar cross-section and
low speed , it has weapons long range weapons like AGM-158 JASSM that can be launched from
standoff distances without getting inside the engagement envelope of enemy air defenses.
The bomber may also get hypersonic missile in the future.
It is important to note that US Air Force is working to extend B-52’s
life with several key upgrades including engines.
U.S. Air Force has recently chosen Rolls-Royce's North
American division to supply F130 turbofans to re-engine its fleet of B-52H bombers.
608 engines will be acquired and this is enough for one-for-one replacements of the
8 Pratt and Whitney engines found on each of the 76 B-52H bombers.
The South China Sea (SCS) is one of the major areas of contention in the Western Pacific,
with multiple countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines,
and Brunei, having disputed maritime claims alongside China.
Indonesia, specifically, has an exclusive economic zone encompassing the Natuna Islands,
which partially overlaps with a region in the South China Sea claimed by Beijing.
In this context, the presence of B-52 bombers skirting the borders of
a rival nation serves both as a strategic signal and offers operational advantages.
The deployment of B-52 bombers carries deterrence value, as their potential use of powerful nuclear
and conventional payloads dissuades a potential rivals from pursuing ambitious
military objectives. This can either prevent military action altogether or force the adversary
to factor in the impact of B-52 operations, thereby slowing down the tempo of their attack.
In operational scenarios,
B-52 bombers can engage enemy ground and naval targets with long-range missiles,
complementing other friendly assets involved in anti-shipping and land-attack missions.
Given its multi-mission capabilities, China will never like the bomber to be in its backyard.