Sell the B-21 Raider? Key Points and Summary – While selling the B-21 Raider to key allies like Australia or Israel could bolster deterrence against China and Iran, it’s a bad idea for two primary reasons.
-First, the immense cost—nearly $700 million per aircraft plus support—makes it unaffordable for even wealthy nations to purchase in strategically significant numbers.
-Second, and more importantly, the bomber’s sixth-generation stealth technology is too advanced and sensitive to risk exporting, where it could fall into the wrong hands.
-The more effective strategy is for the U.S. to retain the B-21 exclusively and forward-deploy the bombers to allied bases.
Time to Sell the B-21 Raider: A Debate Worth Considering
The Raider, named after the Doolittle Raiders of World War II, builds on decades of stealth technology and seeks to provide the vital long-range, deep-strike capability necessary to deter adversaries for the next several decades.
The U.S. Air Force plans to field more than 100 B-21s. The possibility of exporting them to other partners has been raised.
There are advantages to exporting, such as the potential to reduce per-unit costs through increased production, and, obviously, the prospect of boosting allied capabilities. However, concerns about the proliferation of its advanced stealth and sensor technologies also exist.
The risk that the advanced technology of the B-21 would fall into the wrong hands if geopolitical alignments shift might seem to make the B-21 too sensitive for export, as happened with the F-22 Raptor.
Will the U.S. agree to export the B-21? Should they even consider it? Or is the platform like the F-22 — for U.S. use only?
Arguments for Exporting The B-21 Raider To US Allies
Providing Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East, with the B-21 Raider would cement Israel’s position as the undisputed power in the Middle East. And as shown with the recent airstrikes the Israeli Air Force conducted against Iran, it is capable of acting independently of the U.S.
There are numerous variables to consider, and strong arguments support either position. As said, selling to allies could lower the per-unit cost of the B-21.
It might streamline manufacturing enough to enable Northrop to produce more aircraft for the U.S. as well, should Pentagon requests increase.
There is already discussion about increasing the B-21 fleet size well beyond the current plans for 100 aircraft, and expanding the fleet is a more realistic option if production of the aircraft has already been significantly scaled up.
The Air Force has stated that it needs at least 100 of these aircraft and expects to procure 10 aircraft per year once the B-21 is in full-rate production. If the U.S. decides to sell B-21s to select allies, such as those who already fly the F-35, a second manufacturing facility could be built.
Building another manufacturing facility would be expensive, but if tNorthrop Grumman has enough qualified personnel, the costs would be minimized by the sales to our allies.
And it could increase production to 20 bombers a year, which would halve the time required to field 100 bombers.
Adding Deterrence Around The Globe
A strong argument for expanding the B-21 to allied countries is both tactical and strategic. Equipping allies with the B-21 could enhance operational and technical interoperability within alliances such as AUKUS.
Having allies such as Israel, Australia, Japan, and perhaps others hold the capability to defend their homelands with this kind of offensive firepower would go a long way to enforcing deterrence around the globe.
The B-21 will also function as an aerial command and control node, performing critical sensing, data analysis, and transmission, which could be highly valuable to our allies, and a key capability that goes beyond its excellence as a strike platform.
Arguments Against Exporting The B-21 Raider
National security concerns come first when arguing against exporting the B-21. The Raider’s stealth and sensor technologies are highly advanced and sensitive.
Geopolitical shifts could lead to the aircraft falling into the hands of adversaries. This is a significant threat and difficult to predict.
Some military officers and analysts argue that the U.S. should prioritize its own B-21 fleet. Planning production for multiple partners would make it even harder for the U.S. to reach its goal of fielding 100 or more B-21 bombers.
The first B-21 main operating base will be Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. Whiteman AFB, Missouri, and Dyess AFB, Texas, are also planned as bases.
While discussions have been held about selling the B-21 to Australia, a better idea is to sell Australia B-1 and B-2 bombers, which are still potent weapons in their own right. These aircraft will be retired once the B-21s come online.
Australia has not fielded a bomber since the F-111 was retired in 2010. And China’s recent belligerence has included its Navy sailing around the entire coast of Australia. The Australians don’t have aircraft with the range needed to face down that kind of threat.
Export has not been completely ruled out, and the U.S. government has indicated it would consider providing B-21s to Australia if requested.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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