US feels pressure to respond to China’s expanding nuclear capability, says senior Pentagon official

The Star: (extracts)

US feels pressure to respond to China’s expanding nuclear capability, says senior Pentagon official


Saturday, 10 Jun 20231:03 PM MYT

As China and North Korea dramatically increase their nuclear weapons capabilities, the US has come under pressure to respond by modernising its own atomic arsenal and mapping out an expanded nuclear umbrella and contingency planning, a senior Pentagon official said on Thursday.

China, which has declined to join non-proliferation talks, could have 1,500 nuclear warheads by 2035, up from some 400 managed by the People’s Liberation Army, according to a Defence Department report released late last year.

However, its total is still a fraction of the estimated 5,977 held by Russia or the 5,428 held by the US, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

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kt comments:

China could have 1500 nuclear warheads by 2035,

But Wankee with 5428 nuclear warheads currently feels pressure to respond to China’s nuclear capability which in 12 years time won't be even one-third of Wankee's current holding.

E;f;f;i;n;g;;; Wankee Mafulat