Canberra denies US plans to deploy B-1 bombers in Australia

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Friday denied that the US intends to further escalate its growing military presence in Australia by sending B-1 bombers to counter Chinese assertiveness in the region, Efe news agency reported.

US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, David Shear, had earlier informed a US Senate Committee about "additional air force assets in Australia as well as B-1 bombers and surveillance aircraft".

Shear said that the deployment of these resources would be in addition to the Marines stationed in Darwin in Northern Australia, during a special hearing on the troubled South China Sea region.

"I understand that the official mis-spoke and that the US does not have any plans to base those aircraft in Australia," said Abbott, adding that he expected more detail on an issue which could cause ructions in China.

Earlier, a spokesman from Australia's Department of Defence said that "the US government has contacted us to advise that the official mis-spoke", according to the Australian ABC network.

Abbott said that its alliance with the US "is not aimed at anyone".

"It is an alliance for stability, for peace, for progress, for justice, and it's going to be a cornerstone of the stability of our region for many decades to come."

As part of the alliance, the US recently sent 1,150 Marines to Darwin on a six-month rotation, the fourth since deployments began in 2011.

The US military presence is set to increase to 2,500 personnel from 2017.

Abbott said that this military rotation does not seek to counter any threat posed by China, one of Australia's strongest economic and strategic allies.

"We have a strong friendship with China," emphasised Abbott.