US Air Force Plans to Increase B-21 Raider Fleet Beyond 100 Aircraft

The U.S. Air Force is preparing to formally increase its procurement target for B-21 Raider stealth bombers beyond the initial minimum of 100 aircraft. Senior officials, including Lt. Gen. David H. Tabor, testified before the House Armed Services Committee that the current fleet size is insufficient for future high-intensity conflicts, particularly against major adversaries like China. The revised program of record is expected to be detailed in the FY2028 budget request. This strategic shift is driven by growing concerns over China's military expansion and lessons learned from recent U.S. operations against Iran, which strained the limited inventory of existing B-2 Spirit stealth bombers. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly supported acquiring significantly more than 100 units. The B-21 is designed to replace aging B-1B and B-2 fleets, providing critical long-range strike capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region where forward bases are increasingly vulnerable to missile threats. The Pentagon now recognizes that a larger stealth bomber fleet is essential for maintaining airpower superiority and ensuring the effectiveness of America's nuclear triad modernization efforts.