U.S. Deploys Nuclear Capable B-52 Bombers to Patrol Taiwan Strait

Amid ongoing tensions with China, the U.S. Air Force has deployed two B-52H Stratofortress nuclear capable strategic bombers and one MC-130J Commando II refuelling tanker to patrol the Taiwan Strait. This follows a patrol of the strait by H-6 bombers and J-11 fighters from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Chinese drills in the region in early February have also included patrols by destroyers and frigates - which passed through the strait on the 9th. The American patrol was reported by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence, but has yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Military. 

Taiwan is recognised as part of the People’s Republic of China by the United Nations, and the government in Taipei lacks any representation in the body. The U.S. has nevertheless retained close defence ties with the territory, and in 2019 signed over $10 billion in arms contracts to modernise Taiwan’s armed forces. Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, claims sovereignty over the entire Chinese mainland, and has remained technically at war  with Beijing for over 70 years. Beijing has slammed U.S. interference in the Taiwan Strait, military patrols in the region and arms sales to Taipei as highly provocative.