A Pentagon report reveals that China has tripled its nuclear warheads since 2020, marking the fastest nuclear buildup since the Cold War and raising global security concerns, Breitbart reported.
On Wednesday, the Pentagon released its annual report, Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China. The report highlights significant advancements in China's military capabilities, including an almost threefold increase in its nuclear arsenal since 2020.
The report estimates that China now possesses more than 600 operational nuclear warheads, up from the "low 200s" in 2020. This sharp increase places China third globally in nuclear weapon stockpiles, trailing far behind the United States and Russia, which each hold more than 5,000 warheads.
Together, the U.S. and Russia account for about 88% of the world's nuclear arsenal.
In addition to nuclear expansion, the report credits China with modernizing its conventional military forces at an unprecedented pace. According to a senior U.S. defense official, this buildup aligns with President Xi Jinping's ambition to achieve the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by 2049."
"When you look at what they're trying to build here, it's a diversified nuclear force that would be comprised of systems ranging from low-yield precision strike missiles up to ICBMs, with different options at basically every rung on the escalation ladder, which is a lot different than what they've relied on traditionally," the official stated.
This strategy reflects a significant departure from China's historically minimalistic nuclear posture.
The Pentagon report also highlights China's efforts to address perceived vulnerabilities in its military capabilities. Improved conventional ICBMs can now deliver non-nuclear payloads, enhancing their strategic deterrence. These developments aim to counter the long-standing U.S. ability to conduct precision strikes, a capability China has lacked for decades.
Michael Chase, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, noted that China's nuclear forces have evolved into a fully functional triad, combining land-based ICBMs, ballistic missile submarines, and nuclear-capable bombers.
Chase emphasized that China's arsenal is more extensive and far more sophisticated than it was four years ago.
Despite these advancements, corruption within the People's Liberation Army (PLA) remains a persistent issue. High-ranking officials, including former Defense Minister Li Shangfu, have been implicated in anti-corruption purges.
Analysts suggest that the influx of funds into military modernization projects has created opportunities for graft and influence peddling.
The PLA's lack of combat experience compounds these issues. To address these deficiencies, the PLA has developed a "Five Incapables" system to evaluate commanders' operational effectiveness. However, experts note that political priorities often overshadow practical training, even during joint military exercises with Russia.
The Pentagon also criticized China's role in supporting destabilizing actors globally, including Russia, Iran, and the Houthi insurgents in Yemen. The report alleges that Chinese-supplied drones and missiles are enabling Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, threatening global trade.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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