China Quietly Loads Over 100 ICBMs into New Missile Silos Near Mongolia, Pentagon Report Reveals
A Pentagon draft report obtained by Reuters has disclosed that China has likely loaded more than 100 solid-fueled DF-31 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) into three newly constructed silo fields near the border with Mongolia. This development marks a significant step in Beijing's rapid expansion and modernization of its nuclear forces, which the report describes as advancing faster than those of any other nuclear-armed power.
China's nuclear stockpile was estimated to be in the low 600s warheads as of 2024, but it is on track to surpass 1,000 warheads by 2030. Despite this growth, analysts such as Gordon Chang note that only about 100 silos have loaded missiles so far, possibly indicating budget constraints within the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
The report further highlights China's strategic ambitions, projecting that Beijing expects to be capable of fighting and winning a war over Taiwan by the end of 2027. This includes the option of conducting long-range strikes up to 2,000 nautical miles to disrupt U.S. forces in the region.
Beijing has shown little interest in arms-control negotiations, with officials dismissing such talks, and analysts point out that China rejects arms-control initiatives alongside the U.S. Notably, China is not a participant in the New START treaty between the U.S. and Russia, which limits deployed strategic warheads and is set to expire. Furthermore, analysts argue that China's public posture is increasingly inconsistent with its declared no-first-use nuclear policy, illustrated by prominent displays of its nuclear capabilities and development of a nuclear triad.
