Defence Minister Kevin Andrews says a US military official misspoke when he suggested bomber aircraft would be based in Australia to deter China.
B-1 bombers, surveillance and other aircraft will be sent to Australia, David Shear, the assistant secretary of defence for Asian and Pacific affairs, told a US Senate foreign relations committee hearing in Washington DC.
"We will be placing additional Air Force assets in Australia as well, including B-1 bombers and surveillance aircraft," Shear told the committee on Wednesday.
He said the US had noted "a pattern of behaviour that raises concerns that China is trying to assert de facto control over disputed territories and strengthen its military presence in the South China Sea".
"We are concerned that the scope and nature of China's actions have the potential to disrupt regional security," he said.
Mr Andrews said in a statement: "We are aware of the comments made by a US official in Congressional testimony overnight. The US Government has contacted us to advise that the official misspoke."
The minister said the details of what is known as "future force posture cooperation" are still being finalised.
B-1 bombers can carry nuclear weapons but it is understood government protocols prevent such weaponry from entering Australia.
B-52 bombers which came to Australia last year did not bring nuclear weapons.
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