The Pentagon recently highlighted China’s tremendous improvements in its nuclear capabilities in a report delivered to the US Congress. The assessment shows that China presently has more than 500 ICBMs, a development that significantly increases its nuclear-capable missile capabilities. According to the Pentagon’s assessment, China will continue to rapidly modernize, diversify, and expand its nuclear weapons during the coming 10 years.
The report specifically emphasizes China’s progress on new ICBMs, which will considerably increase its nuclear attack capability. This growth also necessitates an increase in nuclear warhead production, which is partly owing to the development of multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) capabilities.
This finding adds a new level of complexity to the global strategic environment because of China’s growing nuclear arsenal, which demands the attention of international stakeholders concerned about arms control and disarmament. In order to sustain international peace and security, the Pentagon paper emphasizes the necessity for diplomatic engagement and arms control initiatives while highlighting the changing dynamics of nuclear deterrence.
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