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How world’s most stealth bomber goes missing? Is it shot down by Iran or US Cover-Up? Senior Journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash reveals the full story in his popular show, ‘The MTA Speaks’.
New Delhi: Amid the tense situation between Israel and Iran in West Asia, another sensational news item has made global security experts and intelligence agencies restless. A state-of-the-art US B-2 Spirit stealth bomber—considered the world's deadliest and most expensive bomber—has suddenly gone missing. The mission for which this plane had taken off is also surrounded by mysteries. It is being said that this bomber was on a mission to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. But then neither did that plane return to its base, nor was any of its debris found, nor was there any official statement.
Senior journalist Manoj Tibrewal Akash did an in-depth analysis of this mystery in his popular show, 'The MTA Speaks' and tried to bring out the facts related to it.
This whole matter has put America's military credibility and its traditional strategy in the dock. On June 23, the Pentagon, the US Department of Defense, had informed that American B-2 bombers had returned to American soil after successfully completing the mission under "Operation Midnight Hammer."
This information was released through a media briefing, in which it was said that these planes had landed safely at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. But within 48 hours of this claim, several international media reports and satellite intelligence indicated that one of these planes—the B-2 Spirit—disappeared during the flight and was last tracked trying to make an emergency landing at Daniel K. Inouye Airport in Hawaii.
Comprehensive military action against Iran in the future
Now the question arises whether this plane fell victim to any technical fault. Was it shot down by Iran's missile system? Or is it part of a strategic move by the US—a 'false flag' operation? Because in recent years it has been seen many times that when the US has to justify a particular military operation, it resorts to some crisis or provocative incident. Some analysts believe that such mysterious developments could be used to justify extensive military action against Iran in the future.
Cost: around $2 billion per unit
It is important to note here that the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is not just a technical but also a strategically sensitive and powerful tool. The US has only 20 such aircraft, which cost around $2 billion per unit. Its biggest feature is its 'stealth' design—that is, it has the ability to evade radar. It can fly thousands of kilometers without being detected and is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional weapons.
The US has so far used it only in high-level military operations—such as the Serbia war, the attack on Iraq, attacks on Taliban bases in Afghanistan, and now potentially against Iran.
Failure of the intelligence system
The disappearance of this aircraft indicates a failure not only of the military but also of the intelligence system. The biggest puzzle related to this incident is that if this plane is missing, then why have the US intelligence agencies and satellite surveillance systems not been able to detect its position till now?
Was it really a technical failure or the result of cyber or electronic warfare by the enemy? There has been no formal claim from Iran that it has shot down such a plane, but in the last few years Iran has brought its air defense technology to the most advanced level.
A serious challenge to America's military dominance too
Since the assassination of General Soleimani in 2020, Iran has developed and deployed missile systems like the S-300 from Russia and the domestic system "Bavar-373." The Iranian Revolutionary Guards had earlier claimed that they had tracked and shot down American drones and radar-proof planes. In such a situation, it is possible that the B-2 bomber came into their radar and was targeted.
Another possibility that is being discussed is an electronic or cyberattack. In 2011, Iran allegedly 'hijacked' the US RQ-170 Sentinel drone using cyber technology and landed it safely. If a similar system is used against the B-2 bomber, it is not only a military threat but can also pose a serious challenge to America's military dominance.
International atmosphere against Iran
On the other hand, many strategic analysts are also considering this incident as a part of the "psychological warfare" of America and Israel. America and Israel have used such information and pseudo campaigns in the past to create an atmosphere against Iran at the international level. If the world is convinced that Iran can shoot down America's most advanced aircraft, then it can justify joint military action.
A deep relationship in foreign policy
Another aspect of this entire incident is that this matter has come to the fore at a time when the presidential elections in the US are near and both Donald Trump and Joe Biden are competing to show strength in West Asia. The Republican lobby and pro-Israel groups have long been demanding decisive action against Iran.
In such a situation, the news of this missing plane can also become a means of influencing domestic politics. In this context, it is important to see that in the last decade there has been a deep relationship between the US defense budget and its foreign policy. Whenever there is a possibility of any threat, there is a demand for an increase in the military budget, and the lobby of defense industries benefits. The proposed US defense budget for 2025 is $886 billion, which is the largest figure so far.
Intelligence agencies of countries
Now let's talk about the international reaction. Russia and China have maintained silence on this entire episode, but the intelligence agencies of both countries are monitoring this development. For Russia, which is Iran's major military and strategic partner, this incident is important in two ways: one, if Iran has indeed shot down this plane, it is a psychological victory against Western technology.
And second, it can boost Russia-Iran military cooperation. On the other hand, Israel has not publicly confirmed this mission, but experts believe that if this plane took off from Israel's airbase, then Israel was directly or indirectly involved in this entire incident. For Israel, Iran's nuclear program is considered an "existential threat," and it wants to stop it at any cost.
Open attack on Iran after the incident
Now the question arises, what will happen next? Will America openly attack Iran after this incident? Or was it just a strategic warning? Will this plane ever be found again? Or will this mystery be recorded in the history books like the American B-24 Liberator that went missing in 1943, which remained submerged in the sea for decades?
One thing is clear—this incident is not just about the disappearance of an aircraft but is indicative of a major upheaval taking place at the center of global power balance, military technology, and international strategy. It also makes it clear that modern wars are not just fought on the battlefield, but also in the skies, cyberspace, psychology, and information.
