Pentagon Report Says China’s Nuclear Arsenal On Track To Double By 2030

 

Washington Post: China’s nuclear arsenal on track to double by 2030, Pentagon reports 

China has developed an arsenal of more than 500 operational nuclear warheads and is set to double that number by the end of the decade, exceeding previous Pentagon estimates, according to a Defense Department report. 

The figures, released in an unclassified public report to Congress on Thursday, are part of a broad assessment of China’s military goals and developments in the past year, and highlight the rapid advances in Beijing’s multi-decade plan to build a nuclear weapons arsenal that rivals that of the United States.  

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WNU Editor: China has responded to this US report .... China says US Pentagon report on nuclear warheads distorts facts (Reuters). 

The unclassified public report to Congress on China's nuclear ambitions is here (link here) 

Pentagon Report Says China’s Nuclear Arsenal On Track To Double By 2030  

China is building up its nuclear weapons arsenal faster than previous projections, a US report says -- AP  

China has sharply expanded nuclear arsenal, US says -- BBC 

‘Major expansion’: China now has more than 500 nukes, Pentagon says -- Politico 

China increasing nuclear arsenal at exponential rate, expected to double by 2030, Pentagon report says -- FOX News  

China is surging NUCLEAR weapons production, will DOUBLE its arsenal to 1,000 warheads by 2030, and is exploring new intercontinental ballistic missile system to threaten U.S., Pentagon warns -- Daily Mail  

China's Nuclear Arms Stockpile is Growing Fast, the Pentagon Says -- Newsweek

Pentagon Warns China's Nuclear Arsenal To More Than Triple By 2035

China's DF-41 nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles are seen during a military parade in Beijing on October 1, 2019 GREG BAKER AFP/File  

France 24: China's nuclear arsenal to more than triple by 2035: Pentagon 

Washington (AFP) – China's nuclear arsenal is likely to more than triple to 1,500 warheads by 2035, the Pentagon said in a Tuesday report that also highlighted the increasing sophistication of the country's air force. 

Washington has identified Beijing as the most consequential challenge to the United States, and the annual report on China's military emphasized improvements to both its nuclear and conventional forces. 

"The Department of Defense estimates that (China's) operational nuclear warheads stockpile has surpassed 400," the report said. 

"If China continues the pace of its nuclear expansion, it will likely field a stockpile of about 1,500 warheads" by 2035.

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WNU Editor: Not surprised that China is building up its nuclear arsenal. I will also not be surprised if their goal is bigger than the 1500 that the Pentagon is warning about. 

Pentagon Warns China's Nuclear Arsenal To More Than Triple By 2035 

China to increase nuclear warheads to 1,500, Pentagon warns -- AP  

China Likely to Have 1,500 Nuclear Warheads by 2035: Pentagon -- Reuters 

China could have 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035: Pentagon report -- CNN  

Pentagon: China on pace to almost quadruple nuclear arsenal by 2035 -- The Hill  

China set to expand nuclear arsenal to 1500 warheads by 2035, US says -- Financial Times  

China to more than triple nuclear warhead stockpile by 2035, Pentagon warns -- FOX News

Head Of U.S. Strategic Command Says China's Next Focus Will Be To Expand Its Nuclear Arsenal

VOA: Chinese Nuke Arsenal Next on Beijing’s ‘To-Do’ List, US Commander Warns

WASHINGTON - The commander in charge of the U.S. military’s nuclear arsenal has warned that increasing China’s nuclear stockpile is “next” on Beijing’s “to-do list.”

Speaking Monday to reporters at the Pentagon, U.S. Strategic Command chief Adm. Charles Richard said that while the United States has “no margin” of error left to start recapitalizing its nuclear force, China has a proven record of steadily building its military. He cited the example of how Beijing has built more than 250 ships for the country’s newly established coast guard in just the past seven years.

“When China sets its mind to something, they are very impressive in their ability to go accomplish it,” Richard said. “Their strategic forces are next on their to do list, right, and I'm trying to posture us for the threat that we're going to face, not the one that we have today.”

The U.S. can deliver a nuclear strike by sea, air and land through submarines, aircraft and intercontinental ballistic missiles, a capability often referred to as the nuclear triad.

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WNU Editor: I concur with U.S. Strategic Command chief Adm. Charles Richard's analysis. Get ready for China to expand its nuclear arsenal significantly.

More News On Warnings That China Will Now Expand Its Nuclear Arsenal

Red alert: Rising threat from China's expanding nuclear stockpile, military -- Washington Times
Americans ‘not fully conscious’ of Chinese military threat to US, commander says -- Stars and Stripes
Head of U.S. Strategic Command: China Now Able to 'Directly Threaten Our Homeland' -- CNS

Pentagon Expects China To Double The Number Of Nuclear Warheads In Its Arsenal Within A Decade

CNN: China is aiming to double the size of its nuclear arsenal, Pentagon report says

Washington (CNN)China is attempting to at least double the number of nuclear warheads in its arsenal in the next decade and its military has already equaled or surpassed the United States in a series of key areas, according to a new Pentagon report released Tuesday.

It suggests that Beijing has made major strides in areas such as ship building, the development of ballistic and cruise missiles as well as integrated air defense systems.

The report detailing China's military capabilities comes amid mounting tensions between the Washington and Beijing over a range of issues, including Chinese military activities in the South China Sea and US-support to Taiwan. It's also published in the run up to the 2020 election as President Donald Trump is looking to make his increasingly aggressive stance towards Beijing a key campaign issue.

"Over the next decade, China's nuclear warhead stockpile—currently estimated to be in the low- 200s—is projected to at least double in size as China expands and modernizes its nuclear forces," the report says, adding that the number of warheads on Chinese land-based Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles that are "capable of threatening the United States is expected to grow to roughly 200 in the next five years."

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WNU Editor: My Chinese contacts told me years ago that their goal was to have a nuclear arsenal on par with Russia and the U.S.. If that is the case, I think this US assessment that China may expand their stockpile to 400 nuclear weapons within a decade to be a bit on the low side.

More News On The Pentagon Expecting China To Double The Number Of Nuclear Warheads In Its Arsenal Within A Decade

Pentagon concerned by China's nuclear ambitions, expects warheads to double -- Reuters
China plans to double nuclear arsenal, Pentagon says -- Army Times
China planning to double its stockpile of nuclear warheads: Pentagon -- FOX News
Pentagon discloses its count of China's nuclear warheads and says the arsenal could double this decade -- Business Insider
U.S. Reveals First Assessment of Chinese Nuclear Weapons Stockpile -- US News And World Report

Pentagon Report Says China's Military On Track To Become A Global Superpower

Chinese-made Dong Feng-31 (East Wind-31) intercontinental ballistic missiles pass through Tiananmen Square (Reuters / Stringer) / Reuters

Washington Times: Pentagon sees China military on track for global superpower status

New report says Beijing doubling nuclear stockpile, expanding base

China is on track to double the size of its nuclear warhead stockpile while expanding foreign military bases capable of attacking the United States — worrying signs Beijing is seeking global superpower status, according to the Pentagon’s annual report on the Chinese military released Tuesday.

Currently, the People’s Liberation Army has a warhead stockpile in the “low 200s,” that will be expanded for a nuclear triad on missiles, missiles fired from submarines and bombers over the coming years, according to the latest report to Congress.

“Over the next decade, China will expand and diversify its nuclear forces, likely at least doubling its nuclear warhead stockpile,” the report states.

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WNU editor: I give it another decade for China to reach this global superpower status.

Does China Have A 'First Use' Nuclear Policy?

Trucks carry intercontinental ballistic missiles. Photo: 81.cn

Peter Pry, The Hill: China's 'no first use' nuclear fiction

Many China experts in government and academia, and anti-nuclear activists such as the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Federation of American Scientists, appear not to be worried by China’s rapidly growing nuclear capabilities, because Beijing’s official policy promises that China will not be the first to employ nuclear weapons in a conflict. Beijing promises that its nuclear forces are for deterrence and retaliation only, not for aggression.

Western analysts consistently fail to understand that, for both Beijing and Moscow, nuclear war plans are national security “crown jewels” that they try to protect and conceal behind a bodyguard of lies and disinformation. Trusting open sources and commentary — especially when they are intended to cast nuclear doctrine in the most benign possible way — is a big mistake.

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WNU Editor: Kudos to the above author on posting a few examples where Chinese military leaders have revealed that China does have a "first use" policy.

This Is Why China Will Never Sign An INF Treaty

National Interest: Fact: 95% of China's Cruise and Ballistic Missile Inventory Would Violate INF Treaty

And that's why--counter to the Trump Administration's ideas--Beijing would never sign such a document.

When the Trump administration announced Washington’s formal withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty nearly a year ago, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cited Russia's violation of the accord as the reason for the decision. "Russia is solely responsible for the treaty’s demise,” Pompeo wrote in a statement at the time. "Dating back to at least the mid-2000s, Russia developed, produced, flight tested, and has now fielded multiple battalions of its noncompliant missile.” By deploying the 9M729 ground-launched, intermediate-range cruise missile, Moscow struck at the heart of a Cold War-era agreement that prevented U.S. and Russian deployments of land-based missiles between 500 and 5,500 kilometers.

However, there was another reason why the Trump administration removed itself from the INF Treaty: China.

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WNU Editor: I would expand the above point. China will not sign any treaty that would limit its nuclear stockpile let alone an INF treaty. Definitely not now.

China's Rejection Of Arms Control Means A New Arms Race Is About to Happen

Reuters

National Interest: Get Ready For a New Arms Race: Why Nuclear Strategic Stability Won’t Work With China

By entering an arms control regime, China could show that it accepts the value of arms control and seeks confidence-building measures, which aids stability while demonstrating that China is a status quo power. The fact that China rejects arms control is troubling and suggests, first, it is a revisionist power, and second, that it wants to be unfettered as it expands its arsenal.

China’s expansion of nuclear weapons has not received the attention it deserves due to its threat to U.S. interests and for strategic stability. China’s actions undermine the ability of the United States to deter attacks against the United States, to extend deterrence to its allies, and to protect its interests. Strategic stability results when both or all sides in a deterrence relationship have little incentive to race for superiority. During the dénouement of the Cold War, strategic stability obtained for the United States and Russia. However, strategic stability will not obtain with respect to China for three reasons.

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WNU Editor: China has always made its intentions very clear. To be a global superpower. That would also mean a nuclear arsenal far to match what the U.S. and Russia have.

Is China Breaching Its Nuclear-Testing Commitments?

Military vehicles carrying DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles travel past Tiananmen Square in Beijing in October 2019. Photo: Reuters

Rod Lyon, RCD/The Strategist: Is China in Breach of Its Nuclear-Testing Commitments?

Covid-19 might be dominating the headlines these days, but other important issues still play out in the smaller font sizes. In last month’s executive summary of the 2020 edition of the U.S. State Department’s annual report on global arms-control compliance, a ‘concern’ is raised about possible low-level Chinese nuclear testing at the Lop Nur test site in Xinjiang province.

The issue was promptly picked up by the Wall Street Journal’s Michael Gordon, a journalist with strong credentials and contacts in the field of national security. Although the official report offered little in the way of evidence, Gordon’s coverage suggests some in Washington wanted to put China on notice about the issue. And that, in turn, suggests a renewed focus on nuclear testing—particularly low-level testing—in coming years.

The issue is complex. First, let’s take a closer look at the State Department’s concern:

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WNU Editor: I always liked what former President Reagan had to say about nuclear weapons and treaties .... "trust but verify". As long as China keeps its nuclear weapons facilities off-limits, the international community must always be vigilant.

China's Global Times Calls For 1,000 Nuclear Warheads (Update)

DF-5B intercontinental ballistic missiles in Beijing on October 1, 2019 © AFP / Greg Baker

RT: China should TRIPLE nuclear arsenal to deter ‘warmongering’ US, editor of state-run Global Times argues

China should drastically increase its stockpile of nuclear warheads to dissuade the United States from pursuing its strategic ambitions abroad, the editor of the Global Times has urged.

In a piece published by his own paper, Hu Xijin said China is a “peace-loving nation” that has pledged to never be the first to use nuclear weapons. He argued, however, that Beijing must aim to expand the number of its nuclear warheads to 1,000 to create a powerful deterrent to “shape the attitudes of US elites toward China.” The Asian power currently has around 300 nuclear weapons.

He said that bolstering China’s nuclear capabilities would keep “an increasingly irrational” United States at arm’s length.

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Previous Post: Chinese Media Urges An Expansion It's Nuclear Arsenal (May 8, 2020)

More News On China's Nuclear Weapons Ambitions

China needs more nuclear warheads: Global Times editor -- Reuters
Beijing Media Calls for Quadrupling China’s Nuclear Weapons as US Continues Encirclement -- Sputnik
Despite US pressure over arms control, China could increase number of nuclear warheads -- IBTimes
Military Experts Urge China To Expand Nuclear Arsenal As "Deterrence" Against US -- Zero Hedge
Global Times Editor Calls for Larger China Nuclear Arsenal in Response to U.S. Containment Efforts -- EIR
Chinese Global Times’ Call for 1,000 Warheads is Nuclear Trolling -- National Interest
The future of China’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine force -- The Strategist
Caution: China's nuclear strategy may be 'nuclear thoughtlessness' -- Paul Bracken, The Hill

Chinese Media Urges An Expansion It's Nuclear Arsenal

China reveals its most advanced nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile, the DF-41, at the National Day parade in Beijing on October 1, 2019. Photo: Fan Lingzhi/GT

Global Times: China urged to expand nuclear arsenal to deter US warmongers

Nuke-equipped bomber and missile development important to safeguard national security: experts

Facing rising strategic threats from the US, China needs to increase its number of nuclear warheads and complete a technologically advanced nuclear triad by developing the H-20 strategic stealth bomber and JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missiles to deter potential impulsive military action by US warmongers, experts said on Friday.

Having a nuclear arsenal appropriate to China's position will help establish a more stable and peaceful world order, which will be beneficial for the whole world, they said.

This year, the US has been applying amplified military pressure on China, sending all manner of warships and warplanes at an increasing frequency to areas including the South China Sea, East China Sea and Taiwan Straits.

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WNU Editor: Groan. That is just what the world needs right now. A nuclear arms race in Asia.

U.S. State Department Says China May Have Conducted Low-Level Nuclear Test Blasts

Military vehicles carrying DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles travel past Tiananmen Square in Beijing in October 2019. Photo: Reuters

FOX News/WSJ: Possible Chinese nuclear testing stirs US concern

The Trump administration's allegation is included in an unclassified summary of an annual review of international compliance with arms-control accords

China might be secretly conducting nuclear tests with very low explosive power despite Beijing's assertions that it is strictly adhering to an international accord banning all nuclear tests, according to a new arms-control report to be made public by the State Department.

The coming report doesn't present proof that China is violating its promise to uphold the agreement, but it cites an array of activities that "raise concerns" that Beijing might not be upholding the "zero-yield" nuclear-weapons testing ban.

The concerns stem from the high tempo of activity at China's Lop Nur test site, extensive excavations at the site, and China's purported use of special chambers to contain explosions.

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Update #1: China may have conducted low-level nuclear test blasts, U.S. says (Reuters)
Update #2: China may be secretly testing low-grade nukes: report (NYPost)

WNU Editor: Not impressed by this report. The U.S. does not provide much evidence to support their claim, and what they do provide has been contradicted by the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization.

China Is Testing New Missiles That Can Carry Nuclear Weapons

China's DF-26 ballistic missile drill senda "clear message" to the U.S.#China pic.twitter.com/y2WOjIbhh7

— ivan (@ivan8848) January 5, 2020

Daily Mail: China launches its nuclear-capable, hypersonic nuclear missile DF-26 which 'could reach US territory and sink aircraft carriers' in a military drill

* Beijing released rare footage of the missile being launched from a desert
* Reports claimed DF-26 could strike a warship 3,728 miles away at Mach 18
* The missile is said to be able to carry a four-megaton nuclear warhead
* It could reach Guam, a US territory 2,000 miles from the Chinese coast

China has released rare footage of its nuclear-capable, hypersonic missile DF-26 being launched during a military exercise.

The mighty weapon, commissioned to the People's Liberation Army in 2018, is able to reach US territory and destroy aircraft carriers, according to previous reports.

Beijing did not reveal the time or location of the exercise, but footage of the launch was recently released by the country's state broadcaster China Central Television Station.

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WNU Editor: Here are the other missiles that China is testing .... China is stepping up its nuclear missile development with a test of a weapon capable of hitting US mainland (Business Insider/SCMP). And here .... It Looks Like China Is Testing 2 Kinds of Hypersonic Missiles (National Interest).

More News On China Testing Its DF-26 Missile

Ni Hao, Washington: Video Allegedly Shows Chinese Nuclear-Capable Missile Launch Able to Reach US -- Sputnik
China launches hypersonic nuclear missile DF-26 which ‘could reach US territory’ in a terrifying military drill -- The SUN
China Shows Footage of Its Nuclear-Carrier Hypersonic DF-26 Missile -- Al Bawaba

Is China About To Abandon Its Nuclear Weapons Policy Of ‘No First Use’?

Chinese soldiers stand guard in front of a model of a nuclear warhead in a nuclear lab in China's northwestern Qinghai province. Photo: Xinhua

SCMP: Is China about to abandon its ‘no first use’ nuclear weapons policy?

* The growing US-China naval arms race is putting pressure on Beijing to reconsider its long-standing nuclear policy, analysts say

China might come under pressure to reconsider its long-standing “no first use” nuclear policy as it engages in a maritime arms race with the United States, analysts have warned.

Nuclear competition is brewing between the two countries as China makes gains in weapons development and Washington tries to limit Beijing’s military build-up in the South China Sea.

The United States is still decades ahead in nuclear weapons development but a successful test late last year of China’s new submarine-launched ballistic missile, the JL-3, is cause for concern in Washington.

The test signals that China is moving ahead with a new class of strategic submarines called SSBNs, vessels that could be equipped with nuclear-armed JL-3s and that would be more difficult to detect than conventional land-based nuclear weapons.

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WNU Editor: The Chinese military has changed in every-way in the past two decades. I expect that they will also change their nuclear policy on the how and when to use nuclear weapon in the future.

China Deploys Anti-Ship Missiles After The Latest U.S. Navy "Freedom Of Navigation" Operation In The South China Sea

The DF-26 ballistic missile was first seen in public at a military parade in 2015. Photo: CCTV

CNN: China mobilizes anti-ship missiles after Navy patrol in South China Sea

China claims to have deployed missiles "capable of targeting medium and large ships" days after the latest US Navy "freedom of navigation" operation near contested islands in the South China Sea, state media announced.

The deployment of the DF-26 ballistic missiles in China's remote northwest plateau, originally announced Tuesday on China Central Television, follows a mission from the US guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell, which steamed close to the Paracel Islands, the previous day.

Capable of hitting targets 3,400 miles (5,471 kilometers) away with nuclear or conventional warheads, the DF-26 was dubbed the "Guam killer" by analysts at the time because it would allow China to bring unprecedented firepower to the US island territory -- home to Andersen Air Force Base and other key US military installations.

The 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea has seen increasing tension in recent years, with China aggressively asserting its stake amid conflicting claims from several Southeast Asian nations.

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More News On China Deploying Anti-Ship Missiles

China mobilizes anti-ship missiles after Navy patrol in South China Sea -- Stars and Stripes
Chinese army sends DF-26 ballistic missiles to northwest region -- SCMP
China mobilises its supersonic nuclear missile that 'could reach US territory' after admiral urged Beijing to sink two American aircraft carriers to safeguard South China Sea -- Daily Mail
China mobilizes ‘ship-killer’ missiles after US moves in South China Sea -- Asia Times
Beijing mobilises 'ship-killer' N-capable DF-26 missiles after US warship spotted in South China Sea -- Zee News
Beijing announces deployment of 'carrier killer' missile after US warship sails near South China Sea islets -- The Japan Times
China Mobilizes DF-26 Missiles in Response to Warship Passage -- Washington Free Beacon
China responds to US Navy’s freedom of navigation operation in SCS -- Naval Technology

China Moves To Develop Precision Nuclear Warheads That Are Unstoppable

Sina.con.cn

SCMP: China takes step towards precision warheads for unstoppable nuclear weapon, state media says

Three hypersonic aircraft designs tested with adjustable speed, enabling better flight control and improved aiming accuracy.

China takes step towards precision warheads for unstoppable nuclear weapon, state media says

Three hypersonic aircraft designs tested with adjustable speed, enabling better flight control and improved aiming accuracy

Tests of three scaled-down models of “wide-speed-range vehicles”, which can fly at from hypersonic velocity to lower than the speed of sound, were carried out on September 21 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

In the news footage, three models representing differently shaped designs, code named D18-1S, D18-2S and D18-3S, were lifted and then dropped from a balloon.

This was China’s first test of this type of hypersonic aircraft, whose speed will be adjustable, meaning its scientists are working on another major aim – precision strike – towards an unstoppable nuclear-capable weapon.

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WNU Editor: The Chinese are definitely pushing hard to develop these weapons platforms.

China Will Soon Have Its Own ‘Nuclear Triad’

Military Times: China, close to establishing its own ‘nuclear triad,’ has practiced targeting US

The Pentagon, for the first time, has publicly reported what commanders in the Pacific have known about, and kept a wary eye on, for some time: China is practicing long-range bombing runs against U.S. targets.

While the Defense Department annually reports on the rapid growth in capabilities of China’s air, land and sea forces, the 2018 report is the first to acknowledge the direct threat to U.S. territory.

Recent developments on China’s H-6K variant of its Badger bomber give the bomber “the capability to carry six land-attack cruise missiles, giving the PLA a long-range standoff precision strike capability that can range Guam,” the report said. It also acknowledged frequent bombing practice runs that U.S. commanders at the newly renamed U.S. INDOPACOM in Hawaii have watched expand in numbers and distance.

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WNU Editor: The speed at which China has built up its military in the past 20 years is truly impressive.

Report: China Now Has 280 Nuclear Warheads

SCMP: China adds to nuclear arsenal amid military modernisation drive

Country now has 280 warheads, according to think tank, which calls nuclear states’ renewed focus on deterrence and capacity ‘a very worrying trend’

China is pushing ahead with modernising its nuclear weapon delivery systems and has added to its arsenal as it boosts military expenditure, according to a report released by an independent think tank on Monday.

As of January, the country had 280 warheads, up from 270 a year earlier, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in an annual report.

But it said none of the nuclear warheads were deployed on missiles or located on bases with operational forces. They were instead classified as “other warheads” – meaning they are being stored or have been retired.

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More News On China's Nuclear Weapons Program

China Expands Nuclear Warhead Stockpile -- Sputnik
China pushing new generation of nuclear weapons: report -- The Hill
China's Nuclear Weapons: Everything You Always Wanted to Know -- National Interest

China Developing A Nuclear Capable Air-Launched Ballistic Missile System

Image Credit: jetphotos.net/ shimin

Ankit Panda, The Diplomat: Revealed: China's Nuclear-Capable Air-Launched Ballistic Missile

China is developing a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile, likely based off the DF-21.

China is developing and has been flight-testing a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) along with a new long-range strategic bomber to deliver it, The Diplomat has learned.

According to U.S. government sources with knowledge of the latest intelligence assessments on the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, China has conducted five flight tests of the unnamed missile. The U.S. intelligence community is calling the new missile the CH-AS-X-13.

The missile was first tested in December 2016 and was most recently tested in the last week of January 2018, according to one source. In recent years, the directors of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) have made reference to this nuclear-capable ALBM in their two most recent on-record worldwide threat assessments.

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WNU Editor: No country has ever deployed an air-launched ballistic missile system. The Chinese will be the first.

The Chinese Military Wants To Increase Its Nuclear Deterrent Capabilities

Members of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) take part in the national flag-raising ceremony to mark the New Year, the first since it took over the duty from paramilitary police, on Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China January 1, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer

Reuters: Chinese military paper urges increase in nuclear deterrence capabilities

BEIJING (Reuters) - China must strengthen its nuclear deterrence and counter-strike capabilities to keep pace with the developing nuclear strategies of the United States and Russia, the official paper of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said on Tuesday.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration may be pursuing the development of new nuclear weaponry and could explicitly leave open the possibility of nuclear retaliation for major non-nuclear attacks, according to a draft of a pending Nuclear Posture Review leaked by the Huffington Post.

This “unprecedented” move by the United States, combined with continuous quality improvements of nuclear arsenals in both the U.S. and Russia, means that both countries place greater importance on deterrence and real combat usability, the commentary in the PLA Daily said.

“In the roiling unpredictability of today’s world, to upgrade the capability of our country’s deterrence strategy, to support our great power position... we must strengthen the reliability and trustworthiness of our nuclear deterrence and nuclear counterstrike capabilities,” it said.

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WNU Editor: There is currently a conventional arms race in Asia .... An Asian Arms Race Is Underway (January 30, 2018). But talk from China about expanding its nuclear capabilities will probably spark in a nuclear arms race with India .... while making other countries in the region wonder if they should also have nuclear weapons.