U.S. and Chinese language flags are seen on this illustration taken, January 30, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Picture Purchase Licensing Rights
WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (Reuters) – The Pentagon this week launched its annual report on China’s navy, which touches on wide-ranging points associated to among the most necessary developments in China’s nationwide safety over the previous 12 months. Listed below are some key highlights:
NUCLEAR WEAPONS:
China has greater than 500 operational nuclear warheads in its arsenal and can in all probability have over 1,000 warheads by 2030, the report mentioned.
In a earlier report, the Pentagon estimated that Beijing had greater than 400 operational nuclear warheads in 2021.
MISSILES:
The report mentioned China in all probability accomplished the development of its three new silo fields in 2022, which has not less than 300 new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos.
The report mentioned China could also be exploring growing conventionally armed intercontinental-range missile programs, which, if developed, might enable Beijing to threaten the US.
OVERSEAS BASING:
China has been increasing its international navy footprint, although it’s nonetheless a lot smaller than the US’ community of bases.
The report says China has additionally in all probability thought of having navy logistics services in international locations like Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Nigeria, Namibia, Mozambique, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tajikistan.
SHIPS
China already has the world’s largest navy– and it’s rising additional the report mentioned.
China’s navy had greater than 370 ships and submarines, up from the 340 ships they’d in final 12 months’s report.
The expectation, the report added, is for the quantity to extend to 395 ships by 2025 and 435 ships by 2030.
U.S. ASSISTANCE
Whereas the report mentioned China has usually ignored or denied the US’ efforts to have military-to-military talks, it described an event when Beijing required U.S. help.
In April 2023, the Chinese language navy requested U.S. help in evacuating Chinese language diplomats from Khartoum, Sudan.
The U.S. navy, the report mentioned, supplied evacuation routes.
Reporting by Idrees Ali and Michael Martina; Modifying by Leslie Adler
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Rules.
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