Pete Hegseth and his “War Department” want more nuclear capable B-21 stealth bombers than the 100 aircraft currently programmed. While Hegseth did not say precisely how many B-21s the Pentagon should purchase, he said the B-21 and the Air Force’s F-47 sixth-generation fighter jet are “critical” for America’s future fighting capabilities and that the Pentagon would increase its planned procurement “where necessary,” [reported Air & Space Forces Magazine](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/hegseth-us-military-a-lot-more-b-21-bombers/). “We have to invest in more capabilities to include the B-21, which is ahead of schedule,” Hegseth told the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 30. “We believe we will require a lot more—over 100—in the future.”
While the current and previous Strategic Command chiefs have called for 145 B-21s, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command commander Adm. Sam Paparo, described as a “ a staunch advocate” for the aircraft, wants even more. “I would favor 200 B-21 bombers, not just for the nuclear deterrence mission, but for penetrating strike capabilities,” Paparo, a career naval aviator, said during an April 21 congressional hearing. Paparo has his eye on China, and believes that a U.S. war against China is inevitable.
