U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that it is up to Iran to decide if the recent U.S. move to deploy B-2 bombers to Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean is a message to Tehran. This development follows reports from U.S. officials that Washington transferred up to six B-2 bombers last March to an American-British military base on Diego Garcia Island amidst a U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen and rising tensions with Iran.
The B-2 bomber is considered the most expensive aircraft in the world, with each unit costing over one billion dollars. Originally, there were plans to produce 132 bombers. However, during the 1990s, as the Cold War ended, production was scaled back to 20 operational bombers and one test aircraft.
The primary role of the B-2 has shifted to carrying conventional weapons while retaining its nuclear capabilities. Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri is designated for operational bombers, but they have also launched from bases overseas, such as Guam or Diego Garcia.
The bombers have targeted locations in Serbia in 1999, Afghanistan in 2001, and Iraq in 2003, according to Britannica. A standout feature of these bombers is their advanced stealth technology, which makes them extremely difficult to detect by radar systems. This allows them to infiltrate fortified airspace and target sensitive sites without being easily detected.
Furthermore, the B-2 bomber is designed for long-distance bombing missions, capable of flying extremely long distances without needing to refuel. This capability allows it to reach almost anywhere in the world from its bases in the United States, enhancing its ability to strike distant targets without relying on forward bases or refueling.
Additionally, the bomber can carry a diverse range of weapons, including conventional bombs and precision-guided munitions, as well as nuclear weapons. It has the capacity to carry about 18,000 kilograms of munitions, making it a key element of U.S. nuclear deterrence.