The NT’s ‘Minister for North Australia’ Nicole Manison has waded into simmering geopolitical tensions between China and the US to calm Territorians’ fears that Darwin could become a target if tensions escalate, after it was reported the US will be sending six nuclear-capable B-52 long-range bombers to RAAF Base Tindal near Katherine over the next couple of years.

Ms Manison said there should be no cause for alarm because the Territory has a “long and proud defence history” and that the defence spending is good for the struggling economy.

“We are a very important strategic location when it comes to Australia and the region,” she said.

“That’s why over many governments over many, many decades you have seen significant defence investment in the Northern Territory, to the point where after the White Paper there has been a $20 billion commitment over 20 years into upgrading infrastructure across the Northern Territory’s defence facilities and training sites.

“There has been a huge investment and that’s going to continue for years to come.

“So this isn’t new news that we’re going to have American planes that will be coming into the Northern Territory, which they already frankly do when we have our regular training exercises here in the Territory.”

However, the plans to bring the six B-52 bombers to Tindal amid ongoing fears they might be used if China moves to take back Taiwan – estimated to possibly occur between 2025 and 2027 – has US war planners suggesting Darwin and Tindal could become a target for China in the event of a war.

The plan, reported by ABC citing US documents, comes amid an upgrade of defence assets in northern Australia, including the expansion of the Pine Gap intelligence base in Central Australia.

The timeframe for when the aircraft might be deployed to Tindal remains unknown, however already released plans show the US and Australia intend to build dedicated facilities for the aircraft at the Territory base.

Becca Wasser from the Center for New American Security said the move sent a notice to China amid alleged plans to invade the island of Taiwan.

“Having bombers that could range and potentially attack mainland China could be very important in sending a signal to China that any of its actions over Taiwan could also expand further,” Ms Wasser told the ABC.

She also warned in a Four Corners report on Monday night that while current military war simulations predicted China could not currently hit Australia due to the long range required, “who’s to say that in the future China might not have more advanced missile capability that would be better suited to potentially attacking Australia or whether their attacks would be successful”.

The US plans for Tindal include a squadron operations facility for use during the Northern Territory’s dry season, an adjoining maintenance centre, and a parking area for the six B-52s.

The US also plans to build its jet fuel storage tanks and an ammunition bunker at the site.

The Boeing-designed B-52 long-range heavy bomber is the most combat-capable in the US inventory and is the backbone of the US Air Force. The bomber can deploy both conventional and nuclear weapons.

Last year, China condemned a defence pact made between Australia, the US and the United Kingdom that will see Canberra order nuclear-powered submarines.

The US has been sending a rotation of military forces to Darwin since 2011.

‘Welcome investment’: Feds also playing up economic benefits, downplaying risks

Federal Minister for Northern Australia Madeleine King, who was in Darwin on Monday, also downplayed any potential threat being posed to the NT, highlighting the economic benefits of the defence spending for the NT’s struggling economy.

“There’s been a lot of investment in Darwin and towns that host aircraft right across this country, but particularly in the Northern Territory, and that’s welcome investment,” she said.

“It’s good for the communities, it’s good for jobs in those areas. The direct jobs that come with having Defence Force people there, I do not think it increases the risk to those communities.”