China increasing its nuclear arsenal at a faster rate than any other nation: Report
- In Reports
- 06:08 PM, Jun 17, 2024
- Myind Staff
A new report has highlighted China's rapid expansion of its nuclear forces, describing it as faster than any other country globally. The findings suggest that China could potentially surpass both the United States and Russia in the number of inter-continental ballistic missiles it possesses.
The report comes from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in its annual yearbook. According to the report, China has increased its nuclear stockpile by over 90 warheads, bringing its total to 500 as of January this year.
There is a belief that at the current rate of expansion, China's total number of inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), currently around 238, could surpass the United States' inventory of 800 or even Russia's total of 1,244 within the next decade.
However, SIPRI clarified that despite this projected increase, China's overall nuclear arsenal is expected to remain significantly smaller compared to the arsenals of the two largest nuclear powers globally. The United States currently possesses 5,044 nuclear warheads, while Russia holds 5,580.
SIPRI reported a total of 12,121 warheads in the global nuclear stockpile as of January 2024, with Russia and the US possessing nearly 90% of these arms. Approximately 9,585 warheads have been used, while the remainder includes retired Cold War-era warheads that are not fully dismantled.
Hans Kristensen from SIPRI noted that China is expanding its nuclear arsenal at a faster rate than any other country. He highlighted widespread plans or efforts across nuclear-armed states to increase their nuclear forces.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported that global military stockpiles remained relatively stable in 2023. SIPRI noted that amid increasing global instability, efforts toward nuclear arms control and disarmament diplomacy faced significant setbacks throughout the year. Russia's suspension of the last treaty on strategic nuclear arms controls with the US marked a notable development in this regard.
Simultaneously, ongoing conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas war hindered efforts to initiate discussions on achieving a nuclear-free Middle East and appeared to halt Iranian–US diplomatic initiatives.
Despite a gradual decrease in the total number of nuclear warheads due to the dismantling of Cold War-era weapons, SIPRI Director Dan Smith expressed concern over the continued rise in operational nuclear warheads year-on-year. Smith highlighted that this trend is expected to persist and possibly intensify in the coming years, emphasising the alarming nature of the situation.
China is reportedly constructing approximately 350 new silos for land-based ballistic missiles, potentially increasing its deployed warheads to about 650 within a decade if each silo houses a single-warhead missile. The exact purpose of these silos remains unclear, but projections suggest China could surpass 1,200 warheads if current trends continue.
The Pentagon previously estimated China's operational warheads at around 500 last year, with expectations that this number could exceed 1,000 by 2030. Analysts believe China's expansion of its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities aims to counter US missile defences and enhance nuclear deterrence against perceived threats.
China has not officially commented on these developments but has criticised US estimates as justification for its own nuclear arsenal expansion. The Chinese Foreign Ministry maintains a "no first use policy" and asserts that its nuclear capabilities are strictly defensive, designed to meet national security requirements.
Image source: Reuters
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