Communist China’s officials will likely be more confident in countering the United States over the next decade, as the regime is pursuing the “most rapid expansion” of its nuclear arsenal in history, according to a new assessment published by the Pentagon’s intelligence agency on Oct. 23.
The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said in its 2024 “Nuclear Challenges” report that China currently has more than 500 operational nuclear warheads and will have at least 1,000 by 2030. These numbers remain on par with past Pentagon estimates.
“China is undergoing the most rapid expansion and ambitious modernization of its nuclear forces in history—almost certainly driven by an aim for enduring strategic competition with the U.S.,” the report reads….