Analysis of new commercial satellite imagery appears to show the construction of three silo fields in China that could eventually launch long-range nuclear missiles.
Experts from the Federation of American Scientists, a non-partisan national security research and advocacy organization, said China has made progress in developing these silos.
- “For China, this is an unprecedented nuclear build-up,” the FAS report said.
The silos will be built outside of the cities of Yumen, Hami and Ordos, according to The Hill.
- However, according to The Hill, the Chinese government has neither confirmed nor denied that these facilities are silos.
So what could happen? Well, the FAS report suggests that the silos are not fully operational just yet.
- “The missile silo fields are many years away from being fully operational and it remains to be seen how China will arm and operate them,” the FAS report said.
According to CNN, the first reports of the development of a missile silo field through China came in June. There were several other reports of field building as well.
Navy Admiral Charles A. Richard, the commander of the US Strategic Command, said the silo construction was a “strategic outbreak of China,” according to CNN.
- “The explosive growth and modernization of its nuclear and conventional forces can only be what I call breathtaking. And honestly, that word breathtaking might not be enough, ”he said.
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