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China is establishing new strategic units and enhancing existing ones to deploy its expanding nuclear arsenal, as reported by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency. The nation is experiencing the most rapid and ambitious modernization of its nuclear forces in history, motivated by the need to compete strategically with the United States.
China is developing several new nuclear capabilities, including the largest collection of silo launchers, land-based mobile launchers, and air and submarine launchers. Intelligence estimates suggest that by 2030, China could increase its nuclear arsenal to over 1,000 warheads, predominantly consisting of a growing number of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of targeting the continental United States.
The Chinese military is expanding its strategic forces with several initiatives:
- Approximately 300 silo launchers have been deployed for the DF-31 and DF-41 ICBMs.
- Additional brigades equipped with both nuclear and non-nuclear DF-26 ICBM launchers are being formed.
- New mobile ICBM brigades are being established, increasing the number of launchers to between 6 and 12 per brigade.
Since 2021, China has been actively developing a comprehensive network of mine launchers for intercontinental ballistic missiles in the Gansu Province within the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies has identified a large-scale system comprising 120 launchers.
Furthermore, intelligence reports indicate that China is likely working on lower-yield nuclear warheads to provide more proportionate response options that its current high-yield warheads cannot offer. The U.S. agency bases its assessments on Chinese military writings, publications by Chinese strategists, defense industry data, and directives from the country’s president.
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