B‑2 bombers stationed on Diego Garcia: A signal to Iran
Strategic B-2 bombers have begun appearing at the American military base on the small island of Diego Garcia. The presence of these aircraft, often compared to "ghosts" due to their stealth technology and ability to avoid enemy radars effectively, is intended to send a clear message to Iran, which is developing its nuclear program.
Diego Garcia is a small island of just 31 square kilometres in the Indian Ocean. It was a British colony for years and is currently part of the British Indian Ocean Territory. However, its modest size should not be misleading, as it is regarded as one of the most strategic points on the global military map. This status is thanks to the Americans, who established an army base with aviation and naval infrastructure in 1971 as part of a 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, as Washington aimed to increase its military presence in the Indian Ocean region. The main 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 USA established a base on Diego Garcia thanks to an agreement with the British, who then controlled the Chagos Archipelago. It is worth noting that in 1966, both countries signed a secret agreement under which London agreed to lease the island to the Americans for 50 years, which was later extended. In return, the Americans supported the United Kingdom politically and financially by reducing the costs of purchasing Polaris ballistic missiles.
The British were keen on acquiring the Polaris missiles, as they were to be a key element of their strategic nuclear deterrence and practically the central pillar of British atomic defence. In the 1960s, London aimed to modernize its nuclear forces and maintain their independence, but the high costs of developing its ballistic system forced it to seek other alternatives. One was the agreement with the USA, which provided access to American Polaris A-3 missiles, adapted for British submarines.
The establishment of the base on Diego Garcia, beyond the military benefits for the United Kingdom and the United States, 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 primarily relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles, which remain a subject of controversy and international disputes today. The island is entirely under the American military's control and inhabited exclusively by military personnel and contractors.
Diego Garcia - America's "pearl" in the Indian Ocean
The base has played a key role in operations by the USA and its allies for decades. It was used in the Persian Gulf War in 1991, the intervention in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001, attacks, and the American invasion of Iraq in 2003. Recently, B-2 Spirit bombers have appeared at the base, which military analysts consider evidence of preparations for military operations in the region. American KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelers have also been observed.
TheEurAsian Times points out that deploying 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 even further within a single mission profile. According to the source, the presence of advanced machines using stealth technology and capable of carrying powerful weaponry is not just deterrence—it's preparation. The deployment is intended to send a clear signal primarily to Iran, which is developing its nuclear program, and its allies.
The Defence Blog reminds us that B-2 bombers, nearly invisible to radars, can carry GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator A/B, powerful conventional penetrating bombs commonly known as "bunker busters." These types of bombs weigh over 13,600 kilograms, with the warhead weighing more than 2,500 kilograms. Moreover, due to the unique design of the hull made of hardened steel, the GBU-57 MOP can penetrate even 61 metres of earth or 8 metres of reinforced concrete before detonation.
In practice, this means that the GBU-57 MOP carried by the hard-to-detect "ghosts" poses a serious threat to concealed underground military installations. Iran has no shortage of these, as Tehran confirmed in a recently released video. The video announced it would showcase "military potential that will enrage enemies." This time, it wasn't a new type of dangerous weapon, but an underground fortress where it is stored. It is unknown if the footage enraged the Americans, but it did not go unnoticed.
