Annual report from the U.S. Department of Defense or other credible defense analysis reports

Pentagon: China's Nuclear Warheads Surpass 600, Could Exceed 1,000 by 2030

Dec 18, 2024, 10:53 PM

China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal, increasing the number of operational nuclear warheads from 500 to over 600 within a year, effectively tripling its stockpile since 2020, according to an annual report released by the U.S. Department of Defense. The Pentagon estimates that China could possess more than 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030 and will continue to grow its stockpile through at least 2035. The report highlights China's construction of numerous missile silos and advancements in missile technology, including the development of a nuclear triad encompassing land-based missiles, submarine-launched missiles, and strategic bombers. Additionally, the report notes China's focus on cognitive and brain-targeting warfare and that Beijing has strengthened its military ties with Russia over the past year. The Pentagon also mentions that corruption continues to be a deeply rooted problem within the Chinese military. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed the report as biased and an excuse for the U.S. to maintain its military hegemony, adding that China rejects nuclear talks with the U.S. and Russia.