In a move that is likely to anger Beijing, Washington is reportedly holding high-level talks with Canberra on the rotational deployment of long-range bombers to Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. has reported.

Discussions with Australia are underway "to have American B-1 bombers and aerial tankers temporarily stationed" in the Northern Territory, ABC said Gen. Lori Robinson, commander of U.S. Pacific Air Forces, had revealed Tuesday.

Such a deployment would put the aircraft within striking distance of the disputed South China Sea, though Robinson focused on the training and operational aspects of the envisaged rotation.