Red alert - China modernises its nuclear missile force

Beijing is now deploying or developing up to five intercontinental nuclear-armed ballistic missiles in what amounts to China's most ambitious increase in intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capability since the late 1980s.

Concurrent with this modernisation process of its land-based missiles, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will also soon deploy its new submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), to offer greater flexibility and survivability to China's nuclear forces.

This effort is expected to result in a relatively modest increase in missile numbers, but armed with far more capable, if not a larger number of warheads. Contrary to efforts by the United States and Russia to engage in nuclear reduction negotiations, as seen by a 7 May meeting between the two countries, China will therefore continue to expand its nuclear arsenal.