WASHINGTON — Countries in the Asia-Pacific region are building up their missile forces, and developing long-range capabilities could help stabilize the region, according to a report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
A London-based think tank published its view on the balance of power in the region, noting that military expansion could increase deterrence against a potential Chinese military attack.
China has stepped up its military activities around neighboring Taiwan in recent years, with the Chinese government labeling the island a rogue province and threatening to take it back by force. The United States officially maintains a “one China” policy, but also provides weapons to the island nation.
“That has been our policy for as long as I can remember, and it remains our policy,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday. “Again, this is a policy that ensures as much peace and stability as possible for us and ensures that the status quo is not disrupted in a way that affects people around the world.”
The report specifically points to the U.S. Air Force’s B-21 Raider, a bomber currently under development by Northrop Grumman, as a means to ensure regional stability.
The first Raider, announced a little more than a year ago, flew to Edwards Air Force Base in California in November 2023 for flight testing. The first offering to this service is scheduled for his mid-2020s.
The IISS report, based on independent analysis and information from the U.S. and Australian militaries and Lockheed Martin, identifies four potential B-21 base sites in the Asia-Pacific region: one in Guam and one in Australia. 3 locations).
Additionally, a variant of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, called the AGM-158D JASSM-XR, with a range of up to approximately 1,118 miles, is scheduled to begin deliveries in February 2027, the report said.
“Designed to defeat modern air defense systems and attack fixed targets, JASSM and its variants can be launched from most U.S. Air Force crew fighters, but especially when launched from long-range bombers. The report states: “The prospect that future B-21 Raider very low observation bombers may also be equipped with a variant of the JASSM greatly expands the U.S. Air Force’s ability to project power over long distances without being detected. There is a possibility.”
The scope these scenarios provide to the U.S. Air Force is as follows:
Chris Martin is the editor-in-chief of Defense News. His interests include US-China issues, cybersecurity, foreign policy, and his Yorkie Willow.