Stealthy B‑2 bombers bolster U.S. presence on key island
Strategic B-2 bombers have begun appearing at the American military base on the small island of Diego Garcia. These aircraft, often compared to "ghosts" due to their stealth capabilities and ability to evade enemy radar, are intended as a clear signal to Iran, which is advancing its nuclear program.
Diego Garcia is a small, 12-square-mile island in the Indian Ocean. It was a British colony for years and is currently administratively part of the British Indian Ocean Territory. Despite its modest size, it is regarded as one of the most strategic points on the global military map. This status is largely due to the Americans, who, in 1971, established a military base with aviation and naval infrastructure there as part of strategic cooperation between the United Kingdom and the United States.
American interests in the region
The decision to create the base was made during the Cold War when Washington aimed to increase its military presence in the Indian Ocean region. The primary goal was to maintain military superiority over the Soviet Union and secure supply routes for American operations in the Middle East and South Asia.
The U.S. established a base on Diego Garcia through an agreement with the British, who then controlled the Chagos Archipelago. In 1966, the two countries signed a secret agreement that allowed the U.S. to lease the island for 50 years, a term later extended. In return, the U.S. provided political and financial support to the UK, including reducing the costs of purchasing Polaris ballistic missiles.
The British were eager to acquire Polaris missiles, which were to be a key element of their strategic nuclear triad and a central pillar of British atomic deterrence. In the 1960s, London sought to modernize its nuclear forces and maintain their independence; however, the high costs of developing its ballistic system led it to seek alternatives. One of these alternatives was the agreement with the USA, granting access to American Polaris A-3 missiles, adapted for British submarines.
The establishment of the base on Diego Garcia, while militarily beneficial for the UK and the U.S., also had a dark side. From 1968 to 1973, the British forcibly evacuated the local population—the Chagossians—to make room for American military personnel and infrastructure. The evacuees were relocated mainly to Mauritius and the Seychelles, a controversial decision that has been the subject of international disputes. Currently, the island is entirely subordinate to the American military base and inhabited solely by military personnel and contractors.
Diego Garcia - America's "pearl" in the Indian Ocean
For decades, the base has played a key role in U.S. and allied operations. It was utilized during the Persian Gulf War in 1991, the intervention in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001, attacks, and the American invasion of Iraq in 2003. Strategic B-2 Spirit bombers have recently been deployed there, which military analysts suggest indicates preparations for military operations in the region. American KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelers have also been observed.
TheEurAsian Times points out that "deploying them [i.e., the B-2 bombers] on Diego Garcia shortens the flight time to the Persian Gulf by several hours. From this base, B-2s can strike targets in Iran, Yemen, the Red Sea, and further—within a single mission profile." According to the publication, the presence of advanced machines featuring stealth technology and capable of carrying powerful weaponry "is not just deterrence—it's preparation." The deployment is meant to be a clear signal, primarily to Iran and its allies.
The Defence Blog reminds us that B-2 bombers, nearly invisible to radar, can carry GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator A/B, powerful conventional penetrating bombs commonly known as "bunker busters." Weighing over 30,000 pounds with a warhead of more than 5,500 pounds, these bombs are designed with a hardened steel hull, allowing them to penetrate up to 200 feet of earth or 26 feet of reinforced concrete before detonation.
In practice, the GBU-57 MOP carried by these elusive "ghosts" poses a serious threat to concealed underground military installations. Iran recently confirmed the presence of such facilities in a newly released video. As announced, the video reveals a "military potential that will enrage enemies." While it wasn't a new weapon, it showcased an underground fortress where weapons are stored. Whether this enraged the Americans is unclear, but it indeed hasn't escaped their attention.
