China has already amassed more than 500 operational nuclear warheads and its arsenal will probably comprise more than 1,000 by 2030, the US Pentagon said in a report on Thursday.
China’s Nuclear Capabilities
In its annual report on the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), called the China Military Power Report 2023, the Pentagon revealed that China has been “expanding the number of its land-, sea-, and air-based nuclear delivery platforms while investing in and constructing the infrastructure necessary to support further expansion of its nuclear forces.”
As of May 2023, the Asian superpower supposedly possesses more than 500 operational nuclear warheads, and is “on track to… have over 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030, much of which will be deployed at higher readiness levels.”
In addition, the PLA will continue to chase its goal of modernisation, which will be “basically complete” by 2035, serving as “an important milestone on the road to (Chinese President) Xi’s goal of a “world class” military by 2049.”
Moreover, the Pentagon found that Beijing is also “updating its capability to deliver multi-megaton warheads by fielding the new DF5C silo based, liquid-fueled ICBM.”
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 Department of Defense report. https://t.co/iVi6yG4X2t
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 20, 2023
It is “fielding the longer-range JL-3 SLBMs on its current JIN-class SSBN,” thus bringing the continental US within range from China’s littoral waters.
Global Concern
Concern surrounding China’s growing nuclear weapons stockpile has been on the rise for years.
In its 2023 yearbook, which was released in June, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimated the size of China’s nuclear arsenal to have increased from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 in January 2023, a number it predicted will continue to keep growing. For the first time since 2010, the number of nuclear weapons globally grew in 2022.
Accordingly, researchers have long been concerned that the seemingly rapid build-up of the latest infrastructure signals a potential expansion of the Asian giant’s nuclear arsenal, and casts a shadow on Beijing’s commitment to its “minimum deterrence” strategy.
The Pentagon concluded that the US, along with its allies, will continue to monitor China’s “evolving military strategy, doctrine and force development.” It pledged to also continue Beijing “to be more transparent about its military modernisation program.”