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China’s military modernisation is drawing renewed scrutiny after Washington accused Beijing of rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal, even as fresh satellite images revealed a new nuclear-powered submarine under construction.
According to reporting by the South China Morning Post, US officials told the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva that China has “massively expanded” its nuclear weapons stockpile in recent years, and that this build-up was not accounted for under the now-expired New START treaty, a key US-Russia arms control pact.
Christopher Yeaw, a senior official at the US State Department, said Beijing’s buildup has occurred with little transparency and without engaging in serious arms-control negotiations. He also presented declassified details alleging a suspected underground Chinese nuclear weapons test in June 2020, an assertion which Beijing strongly denies.
US estimates suggest China now possesses at least 600 nuclear warheads which is a sharp rise from previous years and could surpass 1,000 by the end of the decade if current trends continue. American officials argue that the pace of growth is unprecedented, even if China’s overall arsenal remains smaller than that of the United States and Russia.
The accusations come as China pushes ahead with upgrades to its delivery systems of missiles, bombers and submarines capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Satellite images published by Naval News show a new nuclear-powered attack submarine taking shape at the Bohai Shipyard.
Type 09V, also known as the Type 095, the vessel appears to be a next-generation attack submarine for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Analysts say it could feature improved stealth, pump-jet propulsion and possibly a universal vertical launch system for advanced cruise missiles. If completed on schedule, it would represent a significant step forward in China’s underwater warfare capabilities.
China has also been expanding its land-based missile forces. Reports have shown that China has constructed hundreds of new missile silos in western China over the past few years, signalling a broader restructuring of its strategic forces. The expansion of PLA Rocket Force (PLARF) in the Qinghai Plateau has greater implications for India. The Pentagon has repeatedly warned that Beijing is modernising at a pace not seen before.
Beijing has denied the US accusations. Chinese UN ambassador Shen Jian told the conference: “The US has made groundless accusations that China has conducted a nuclear test.” He added that Beijing “firmly opposes the constant distortion and smearing of its nuclear policy by certain countries”.
He added, “China’s nuclear arsenal is not in the same league as the countries possessing the largest nuclear arsenals.”
Anukriti K
Research Associate, Bharatshakti.in
