Pentagon: China possesses 600 nuclear warheads

“ China used to have a very, very small and relatively outdated nuclear arsenal. What we’ve seen over time is that they’ve expanded it into a nuclear triad, with a navy that has a fleet of ballistic missile submarines conducting deterrence patrols,” said Michael Chase, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China.

In recent years, the US has seen an increase in the diversity of capabilities as well as precision-strike missiles with low-yield nuclear warheads from Beijing.

China's total nuclear warheads have risen to 600.

The China Military Power Report, required by the US Congress and published annually for the past two decades, also covers China's defense capabilities.

In recent years, the Pentagon has repeatedly assessed that China's nuclear arsenal is growing beyond US expectations. First, in a 2021 report, Beijing's nuclear warheads could reach 1,000 by 2030.

As of May 2023, the Pentagon estimates that China has more than 500 operational nuclear warheads. By mid-2024, that number will have increased by about 20%. Meanwhile, as of 2023, the United States has 3,748 operational nuclear warheads.

China has refused to limit its development under international arms control agreements, saying the United States and Russia, which hold the largest nuclear arsenals, should be responsible for limiting their own arsenals. It insists it will maintain its nuclear forces at a level necessary to meet its national security needs.

Kong Anh (Source: South China Morning Post)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/lau-nam-goc-trung-quoc-so-huu-600-dau-dan-hat-nhan-ar914720.html