China needs more nuclear warheads to deter US threat, military says

China needs more nuclear warheads to deter US threat, military says | South China Morning Post

Commentary says the existing stockpile is big enough to prevent ‘bullying’ but should be expanded as Washington changes strategy

China must expand its nuclear stockpile so it can better deter and hit back at an enemy strike as geopolitical uncertainties mount and the US appears bent on a nuclear build-up, according to the Chinese military’s mouthpiece.
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It's always the same thing: measure & countermeasure. The U.S. invests buckets of $$$ to upgrade nukes so China feels threatened & must do likewise.

https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-nuclear-weapons-modernization

U.S. nuclear forces, operated by the Air Force and Navy, have entered a years-long period that will see the modernization of warheads, bombs, and delivery systems. Many of these land-, air-, and sea-based systems, which constitute the so-called nuclear triad, entered service during the Cold War and will reach the end of their life cycles in the coming decades.

The ballistic missiles, submarines, bombers, fighters, and air-launched cruise missiles in operation today will be gradually phased out for newer systems. The United States will also develop new nuclear warheads and upgrade facilities that produce and maintain nuclear weapons. However, while some modernization efforts are already underway, debate persists in Washington over their direction and extent, especially given the massive investments they will require. The Congressional Budget Office estimates [PDF] that maintaining and modernizing U.S. nuclear forces will cost $400 billion between 2017 and 2026.

JacksinPA said:

China needs more nuclear warheads to deter US threat, military says | South China Morning Post

Commentary says the existing stockpile is big enough to prevent ‘bullying’ but should be expanded as Washington changes strategy

China must expand its nuclear stockpile so it can better deter and hit back at an enemy strike as geopolitical uncertainties mount and the US appears bent on a nuclear build-up, according to the Chinese military’s mouthpiece.
===================================================
It's always the same thing: measure & countermeasure. The U.S. invests buckets of $$$ to upgrade nukes so China feels threatened & must do likewise.

https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-nuclear-weapons-modernization

U.S. nuclear forces, operated by the Air Force and Navy, have entered a years-long period that will see the modernization of warheads, bombs, and delivery systems. Many of these land-, air-, and sea-based systems, which constitute the so-called nuclear triad, entered service during the Cold War and will reach the end of their life cycles in the coming decades.

The ballistic missiles, submarines, bombers, fighters, and air-launched cruise missiles in operation today will be gradually phased out for newer systems. The United States will also develop new nuclear warheads and upgrade facilities that produce and maintain nuclear weapons. However, while some modernization efforts are already underway, debate persists in Washington over their direction and extent, especially given the massive investments they will require. The Congressional Budget Office estimates [PDF] that maintaining and modernizing U.S. nuclear forces will cost $400 billion between 2017 and 2026.

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That, the bolded, works both ways. I doubt that China will be spent into oblivion like the Soviet Union. They've always been known for pragmatism and playing a long game.