Washington sees Beijing as the main military challenge to the US, but China’s nuclear arsenal remains much smaller
China’s nuclear arsenal is expected to will more than triple by 2035, reaching 1,500 nuclear warheads, according to a Pentagon report which also notes that the Chinese Air Force is constantly improving.
Washington considers that Beijing is the main military challenge for the US and the US Department of Defense’s annual report on the Chinese military highlights the progress China is making in both its nuclear and conventional military forces.
“The Ministry of Defense estimates that (China’s) stockpile of nuclear warheads exceeded 400. If the stock continues to grow at this rate, China will likely have about 1,500 head” by 2035, the report said.
China’s nuclear arsenal, however, remains much smaller than that of the US and Russia, two countries that have many thousands of nuclear warheads.
Beijing, which is also working to modernize ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, conducted 135 tests in 2021, “more than the rest of the world.” The Air Force is also making significant progress “quickly approaching (the level of) Western air forces.”
The report reiterates US concerns about Beijing’s increasing pressure on Taiwan. An American official commented, however, that Washington does not consider that any Chinese invasion of the island is “imminent”.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
