Within the framework of the new agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) would have access to Diego Garcia Island for the deployment of fighters and bombers, among other assets, for at least 99 more years. The agreement transfers sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, where the island is located, to Mauritius, which in turn guarantees joint control and operation of the Diego Garcia military base, making it one of the strategic pillars for the military capabilities of the United Kingdom and the United States in the Indo-Pacific, East Africa, and the Middle East.

Although it was not explicitly signed by the United States, the United Kingdom emphasized the essential role the island’s installation plays for one of its closest allies. “The (very important) agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius guarantees the operational capabilities of the base and the key national security interests of the U.S. in the region. We are confident the base will be protected for many years,” said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in a statement on Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) channels.

Diego Garcia Island is one of the nerve centers of military operations, with some of the most important air, naval, space, and intelligence capabilities of the United States. The base includes essential infrastructure such as a deep-water port, a rapid deployment military airfield, satellite tracking antennas, and seismic monitoring stations. There are also critical facilities for the GPS system and sensors of the GEODSS space surveillance program, which are key for monitoring orbital threats and nuclear proliferation.

The agreement, signed yesterday, secures exclusive control of the electromagnetic spectrum in the area for the United Kingdom and , with shared veto mechanisms for any type of development on the outer islands. It also expressly prohibits the presence of foreign forces, both civilian and military.

Beyond that, the base has been used by U.S. bombers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, fighters, tankers, and other platforms in various conflicts in which the country has been involved. It also includes docking facilities capable of receiving submarines and elements of a U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group.

As of today, the U.S. Air Force has used the base for the deployment of its bombers and other aircraft. Between March and May, six B-2 bombers were deployed in what became the longest and largest foreign mission for these strategic aircraft. During some of their operations, several of the aircraft conducted strikes against targets in Yemen, as the installation is about 4,200 kilometers from Tehran, and also serves as a clear message of deterrence against Iran. Weeks later, the B-2s were replaced by four B-52H bombers, with the addition of four F-15 fighters, apparently from the F-15E Strike Eagle variant, deployed to protect the island.

Finally, the UK Ministry of Defence stated that the agreement was essential to securing the future of Diego Garcia Island and “preventing adversaries of the United Kingdom from establishing a presence in the region.” In addition to the United States, the base has hosted units from allies such as Australia, France, Japan, and South Korea.