China is taking steps to consolidate the aerial leg portion of a nuclear triad with its nuclear-capable Xian H-6N bomber, according to the Pentagon’s recently released 2021 Report on China’s Military Capabilities.
The report, titled Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2021, states that “The PRC signaled the return of the airborne leg of its nuclear triad in October 2019 after the PLAAF made the H-6N its first nuclear capable air -Air-refuelable bomber. ”
China is known for deploying street-mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and equipping its Jin-class submarines with nuclear-capable missiles. But only in the last few years has the air force of the People’s Liberation Army revived its wing. This means that China will be able to threaten opponents around the world with a nuclear attack from the air, ground and sea.
China has made extensive efforts to modernize and expand its nuclear weapons, according to the report. The country is well on its way to “having at least 1,000 warheads by 2030, exceeding the pace and size of the DoD projected for 2020,” the report said. Earlier this year, Admiral Charles Richard, the commander of US Strategic Command, said commercial satellite photos showed that ground ICBM silos were under construction in parts of mainland China. This is a worrying, but not surprising, development for strategists who have followed China’s nuclear expansion.
“The PRC has begun construction of at least three solid fuel ICBM silo fields that will cumulatively contain hundreds of new ICBM silos,” the report said.
China is supporting the “air leg” of its nuclear triad by developing a nuclear-capable ballistic air force. This weapon could represent China’s efforts to counterbalance the U.S. military’s nuclear-grade airborne cruise missile known as the long-range stand-off weapon. The point of an airborne ballistic missile – or cruise missile – is to add new dimensions to a deterrent strategy by providing military commanders with additional options for fighting their enemies.
Kris Osborn is the Defense Editor of the National Interest. Osborn previously worked at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army – Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as a presenter and on-air military specialist on national television networks. He has appeared as a visiting military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also holds a Masters degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
Image: Reuters
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