The head of the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGCS) recently stated that they will ultimately need to reassess the previously set target for the number of their bomber fleet. This assertion was made earlier this week by U.S. Air Force General Thomas Bussiere, who noted that today "the demand signal for bombers is stronger than ever in my career."
Currently, the service has a total of 141 bombers, including the B-1, B-2, and B-52. Once the B-1 and B-2 are retired, they will be replaced by the latest sixth-generation bombers, the B-21 Raider, with plans to acquire no less than a hundred. With 76 B-52s undergoing modernization, the overall bomber fleet will eventually decrease to 176, according to Breaking Defense.
Furthermore, plans indicate that after the number of bomber types is reduced from three to two, the Air Force aims to increase their numbers to 220. However, Bussiere already mentions that even such a number may be insufficient given the heightened demand in regions like Europe and the Middle East. Therefore, he is confident that the fleet size needs to be reevaluated.
In fact, it has been repeatedly highlighted in the U.S. that the hundred new B-21 Raiders may not be enough considering the overall security situation in the world. Additionally, one of the factors regarding fleet expansion is the high cost of these bombers, along with the Air Force's plans to rethink its future.
Meanwhile, Bussiere has yet to provide specifics regarding what the bomber fleet should ultimately look like in terms of numbers to adequately meet future service needs.
"We must have the necessary quantity to ensure both strategic and conventional deterrence, and if our deterrence fails, we need to have enough to deliver a decisive strike," he states, noting that the quantity of these aircraft will ultimately be determined by factors such as threats, national defense strategy, budget, deployment demand, and particularly—political decisions.
Ultimately, he acknowledges that acquiring more B-21 Raiders is primarily a matter of the national budget, and there could be nuances here, especially considering that the fate of defense projects will be decided by the Trump administration starting next year.