US strike on Iran reinforces China’s urgency for strategic bombers, say analysts

The recent US B-2 stealth bomber strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have renewed calls within Chinese defence circles for accelerating the development of long-range strategic bombers. 

Military analysts say the mission showcased the unmatched utility of strategic bombers in global strike operations and nuclear deterrence capabilities that China is still racing to match.

Over the weekend, seven American B-2 bombers flew nearly 27,000 kilometres in a 37-hour operation to hit key Iranian nuclear sites. Supported by over 100 aircraft, the B-2s returned unscathed, a feat Chinese experts call a striking demonstration of airpower.

“A strategic bomber is irreplaceable, even in the age of long-range missiles and sixth-generation fighters,” said Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor, in a conversation with SCMP. “It’s a critical tool for delivering both conventional and nuclear payloads, and no other platform offers the same global reach.”

China's current strategic bomber, the H-6N — a modernised version of the Soviet Tu-16 — has a range of about 8,000 km. While capable of precision and nuclear strikes, it falls short of the global reach seen in the US and Russian fleets. The anticipated H-20 stealth bomber, still in development, is meant to fill that gap.

The US B-2 and B-52 bombers have intercontinental ranges exceeding 10,000 km, and Russia’s Tu-95MS and Tu-160 provide similar capabilities. These aircraft form a vital leg of each country's nuclear triad. China, by contrast, entered the strategic bomber arena only in the 1960s and has lagged behind until recently.

Though expensive, strategic bombers carry large, heavy weaponry that fighters cannot. The B-52H, introduced in the 1950s, still serves with a payload of over 31 tonnes and a range of 16,000 km. By comparison, the B-2 offers stealth capabilities and precision delivery but at a unit cost of over $2 billion.

China is also pursuing unmanned alternatives. Satellite images recently revealed a massive stealth drone at an airbase in Xinjiang, believed to be capable of long-endurance missions and precision targeting. The drone, possibly larger than the US B-21, signals a leap in China’s UAV development.

“Uncrewed platforms with the right payload and range can serve similar roles to bombers,” said Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert. He noted that stealth drones like the Caihong-7, with a price tag around $10 million, offer a cost-effective complement to crewed bombers.

Analysts say the combination of stealth bombers — manned or unmanned — and China’s growing hypersonic and ballistic missile arsenal could transform military operations in the Pacific. And while the H-20 remains under wraps, Chinese experts suggest it may outperform the US B-21 in some aspects due to more recent engineering advances.

“The H-20 benefits from a more modern technological foundation,” said Song. “It represents China’s serious entry into global strategic aviation.”

By Tamilla Hasanova