Construction of 199 silos for launching intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) has begun in northern China, according to the American newspaper The Washington Post.
Experts from the James Martin Center in California studied satellite images of the Chinese province of Gansu, which show the construction work of 119 identical structures, which are similar to those already in China on the existing launch complexes designed for an arsenal of nuclear warheads.
“The construction of more than 100 new silos, if completed, would be a historic change for China, with a relatively modest arsenal of 250 to 350 nuclear weapons believed to be in the country. The actual number of missiles to be placed in these silos is unknown, but may be significantly less. In the past, China has created false mines”, – the newspaper writes.
Experts believe that the PRC is expanding its nuclear forces in part to “maintain a deterrent”. In their opinion, Beijing seeks to possess a nuclear arsenal that can survive after the “first strike from the United States” and will be sufficient to “overcome American missile defenses”.