The United States Department of Defense indicated in a report that the Asian giant exceeded the estimates that the Pentagon itself had established in 2020 for the Chinese nuclear arsenal. The document indicates that although Chinese weapons are still considerably less than those of the United States, the country is actively seeking to become a new nuclear mega-power.
This Wednesday, November 3, the Pentagon released the report that it prepares every year to give an overview of the defense situation in the United States and, without a doubt, what attracted the most attention was the state of alert they caused. the new figures the Pentagon is forecasting for China’s arsenal in the coming years.
The equipment of the Colossus of Asia was much greater than expected a year ago. The new estimate indicates that Beijing could get 700 warheads of nuclear weapons by 2027 and around 1,000 by the end of the decade.
Despite the fact that these reserves are ostensibly lower than those of the United States (currently it has 3,750 warheads), it is a significant change in the projection of the North Americans, since in past reports the Pentagon thought that China would have 400 by 2030. It also opens speculation about whether the new approaches will be accurate or whether they may again become out of date.
China, seeking to modernize and diversify its “nuclear forces”
Washington’s position has long been to join China and Russia in a new arms control treaty, but Beijing and Moscow have yet to show signs of seeking to join in the near future. Asians want the United States to shrink its arsenal at the same rate.
The Pentagon document maintains that “for the next decade” China maintains the goal of “modernizing, diversifying and expanding its nuclear forces.” In addition, it details that China began to build three ICBM silos fields.
In the same report, the Pentagon also reaffirms the concern in the Chinese advance in other fields, beyond the military, referring to the chemical, biological and technological programs, as well as in space and cyberspace.
The DoD announces the release of its annual report on “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China.” The congressionally mandated report serves as an authoritative assessment of the Department's top pacing challenge. #CMPR https://t.co/CQDvt8tHLn
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) November 3, 2021
Taiwan, another warning light regarding China
Beijing’s tight stance with Taipei has escalated over the weeks with even incursions by Chinese military aircraft close to the island’s airspace. The situation has raised alarms and speculation in the face of an eventual invasion of a territory that China considers its own.
The tension has also involved the United States. A few days ago, the presence of the US military in Taiwan was confirmed with the aim of training local troops in the event of a war against the Asian mega-power.
However, the Pentagon report noted that China is likely to use other methods to weaken Taiwan, such as a blockade campaign, before developing a full-scale military advance.
The Department of Defense of the United States doubts that China will use drastic measures or force, at least, in the next two years. “In my analysis, I don’t think it is likely in the near future,” said General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
READ ALSO :
US: court rules against order to force vaccination of companies with more than 100 employees
Biden orders mandatory vaccination for companies with more than 100 employees