China is likely to build 16 new underground intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos. US nuclear experts said on Sunday it was based on an analysis of satellite imagery related to recent construction in China’s missile launch area.
Hans Christensen of the ‘Federation of American Scientists’ has long been monitoring the nuclear power of the US, Russia and China. “China is fast acting to develop its ability to launch new nuclear missiles from underground silos,” he said. Its purpose is to improve the ability to retaliate immediately in the event of any nuclear attack.
According to Christensen, the photos indicate that China is preparing to face a growing confrontation with the US. The US is referring to China’s nuclear modernization to justify spending hundreds of billions of dollars to build its new nuclear arsenal over the next two decades. While there is no indication that the US and China are moving toward armed conflict, Christensen’s report noted that tensions between the US and China have risen on a number of issues, from trade to national security.
The Pentagon declined to comment on Christensen’s analysis, but last summer, in its annual report on China’s military development, Beijing said it was working to increase readiness for its nuclear forces. Christenson said commercial satellite photos he received show that China began building 11 underground silos at the end of last year in a large missile training range near Gelantai, north central China. Work on making the other five silos had already begun.
18 to 20 silos already exist
According to Christensen, Beijing already has 18 to 20 silos. He is working with the old Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) DF-5. At the same time, the US Air Force fleet has 450 silos and 130 silos with Russia.
.
