China has likely deployed more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) across newly built silo fields and is showing no willingness to engage in arms control negotiations, according to a draft Pentagon report. The assessment highlights Beijing’s rapidly accelerating nuclear and military expansion, warning that China is modernising its arsenal faster than any other nuclear-armed nation.
The report, accessed by Reuters, states that China has loaded over 100 solid-fuel DF-31 ICBMs across three silo fields near its border with Mongolia. While the Pentagon had earlier acknowledged the existence of these sites, this is the first time it has indicated how many missiles may be operational.
China’s nuclear warhead stockpile stood in the low 600s in 2024 and is projected to cross 1,000 warheads by 2030. The report notes that Beijing continues to reject arms control discussions, raising concerns about the erosion of global nuclear restraint frameworks.
China has dismissed the findings, reiterating that its nuclear posture is defensive and based on a no-first-use policy. However, the Pentagon warns that alongside nuclear expansion, Beijing believes it could “fight and win” a war over Taiwan by 2027, signalling growing strategic risks in the Asia-Pacific.
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