Pentagon annual report or equivalent authoritative military assessment

Pentagon Report: China Expands Nuclear Arsenal to Over 600 Warheads, Adding 100 New Warheads and Hundreds of Missiles

Dec 18, 2024, 05:22 PM

The Pentagon's latest annual report indicates that China is rapidly expanding its nuclear forces, having increased its operational nuclear warhead count from 500 to over 600 in the past year. This represents a 20% growth in its arsenal, with estimates suggesting that the number could exceed 1,000 by 2030. The report highlights a large-scale military buildup, including the addition of hundreds of new missiles and at least 100 new nuclear warheads. Furthermore, the Pentagon notes that China's military expansion is accompanied by strengthened ties with Russia, raising concerns about the implications for regional and global security. The report estimates that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will continue to grow its nuclear capabilities through at least 2035.