China is developing its nuclear arsenal much faster than expected, according to a report released Wednesday, November 3 by the Pentagon, which estimates that Beijing can already launch ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads from land, sea and air.
Read alsoChina sees itself as a world leader in nuclear power
"
The acceleration of China's nuclear expansion could allow it to have 700 nuclear warheads by 2027,
" says this annual report from the US Department of Defense on China's military capabilities.
"
It is likely that Beijing seeks to acquire at least 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030, which is higher than the rate and volume estimated in 2020.
"
A "nascent nuclear triad"
In the previous edition of this report to Congress, published on September 1, 2020, the Pentagon estimated that China had "
about 200
" nuclear warheads, but estimated that this number would double over the next ten years. With 700 nuclear warheads by 2027 and 1000 by 2030, the projections of the American military show a very strong acceleration of Beijing's nuclear activities. "
China has probably already established a nascent nuclear triad
," meaning the ability to launch nuclear ballistic missiles from sea, land and air, according to the document.
To arrive at these figures, the authors of the report relied in particular on statements by Chinese officials in official media and on satellite images showing the construction of a significant number of nuclear silos, a senior official told the press. Ministry of Defense, by presenting this document, only part of which is made public, the rest being classified as a defense secret.
Read also Army, economy, space, demography ... United States or China, who leads the game?
The projections include submarine ballistic missiles and those launched by bombers, as well as the "
mobile missile force
", which allows missiles to be launched from trucks, according to the official who requested anonymity.