New Delhi: China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal. It has significantly increased plutonium pit production and high-explosive stockpiles.
Experts warn that this increase could escalate geopolitical tensions and alter global security dynamics. Currently, Russia and the United States are at the top in terms of nuclear weapons. China is in third place, but it is rapidly increasing its weapons stockpile. According to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, China currently possesses 600 nuclear weapons, 24 of which are deployed at various locations.
China Speeds Up Its Nuclear Weapons Production
According to a Washington Post report, Renee Babiarz of the Vienna-based Open Nuclear Network (ONN) and the London-based Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC) said that China is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country. It is rapidly expanding a network of secret factories used to manufacture components for nuclear warheads. She also said, “The changes we’ve seen from roughly 2019 to the present are perhaps more extensive than anything we’ve seen before.”
China In A Nuclear Arms Race
Analysts say China can’t match the US’s estimated stockpile of 3,700 nuclear weapons in the near future. However, China has made significant changes to almost every aspect of its nuclear weapons program. This indicates that the People’s Liberation Army is preparing for a full-scale arms race, even if it doesn’t want one. Based on open-source intelligence and satellite imagery, it has been reported that China has rapidly increased activity at key sites involved in nuclear weapons production. This could further fuel China’s nuclear ambitions.
China Upgrading Its Nuclear Facilities
The report states that this construction work involves a comprehensive upgrade of facilities known for designing and manufacturing the cores (plutonium pits) of nuclear warheads. The plants that produce the high explosives used to initiate nuclear reactions have also been upgraded. Furthermore, Chinese military documents, internal publications, and articles by defense experts indicate that China has placed its nuclear brigades on high alert and that they are prepared to launch an attack on short notice.