< p _ngcontent-sc148="" class="news-annotation">China wants to triple its nuclear capability by 2035. This came after the country noticed that Russia's strong nuclear deterrence prevented a head-on collision between NATO and Russia, despite its aggression against Ukraine.
A source close to the matter said, that China plans to increase the number of nuclear warheads to 900 units. Experts explained the risks of such actions.
What is known about China's plans
The number of nuclear warheads owned by China is likely to rise to 550 in 2027, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the country's armed forces, and to 900 in 2035, the sources say.
It is preliminary known that the plan was developed by the People's Liberation Army of China and approved by President Xi Jinping, who seeks to strengthen the deterrence of Beijing against Washington.
If China achieves the goal of modernizing its military, they may abandon the no-first-use policy, according to some experts.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimated that Russia has 5,977 nuclear warheads, the US has 5,428 .
The publication noted that in November 2022, the leadership of the Chinese armed forces confirmed the importance of lethal potential. This came after an analysis of Russia's strong nuclear deterrence, which prevented a head-on fight between NATO and Russia. Even though the Kremlin attacked Ukraine.
What preceded it
- In the fall of 2022, the Pentagon report said that China was significantly increasing number of nuclear warheads. Indeed, in 2 years, their stocks have doubled.
- According to the US Department of Defense, Beijing has focused on challenging the United States in the nuclear field.
- Then it was noted that China there are already 400 nuclear warheads. Although the country had only 200 in 2020.
- China may increase its stockpiles, according to the Pentagon. up to 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035.
