© Reuters. U.S. and Chinese language flags are seen on this illustration taken, January 30, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Picture
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Pentagon this week launched its annual report on China’s navy, which touches on wide-ranging points associated to among the most essential developments in China’s nationwide safety over the previous yr. Listed below are some key highlights:
NUCLEAR WEAPONS:
China has greater than 500 operational nuclear warheads in its arsenal and can most likely have over 1,000 warheads by 2030, the report stated.
In a earlier report, the Pentagon estimated that Beijing had greater than 400 operational nuclear warheads in 2021.
MISSILES:
The report stated China most likely accomplished the development of its three new silo fields in 2022, which has a minimum of 300 new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos.
The report stated China could also be exploring growing conventionally armed intercontinental-range missile methods, which, if developed, might permit 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 most likely thought-about having navy logistics amenities 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 stated.
China’s navy had greater than 370 ships and submarines, up from the 340 ships they’d in final yr’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 stated 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 stated, offered evacuation routes.
