China Expands Nuclear Arsenal, Adding 20 Warheads Amid Disarmament Stagnation
Topic: defense & securityRegion: AsiaUpdated: i2 outletsSources: 3Spectrum: Mostly Center⏱ 4 min read
Story Summary
SITUATION
China expanded its nuclear warhead stockpile by 20 warheads over the past year, bringing the total to 620. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) warns that major powers are increasingly abandoning disarmament commitments (per scmp.com).
Coveragetap to expand ▾Spectrum: Mostly Center🌍Europe: 1 · Asia: 1 · Other: 1
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KEY FACTS
- China was significantly modernising and expanding its nuclear arsenal, with its warhead stockpile expected to “keep growing over the coming decade,” the report said.
- While the vast majority of Chinese warheads are thought to be stored separately from their launchers, Beijing may now be deploying warheads on missiles in a few mobile battalions during peacetime exercises.
- SIPRI estimates that China may have increased its deployed nuclear warheads with operational forces to about 34 in January, up from 24 in 2025.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The current expansion of China's nuclear arsenal occurs against the backdrop of a complex global security environment characterized by stagnation in nuclear disarmament efforts. In recent years, major nuclear powers, including the United States, Russia, and China, have increasingly focused on modernizing their nuclear capabilities rather than pursuing disarmament.
This trend has been particularly pronounced since the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) in August 2019, which had previously helped to limit the deployment of certain classes of nuclear weapons. The treaty's dissolution marked a significant turning point, leading to a renewed arms race among nuclear states.
Brief
China has significantly expanded its nuclear arsenal, adding 20 warheads to its stockpile as of January 2026, according to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This increase brings the total number of deployed nuclear warheads with operational forces to approximately 34, up from 24 in 2025.
SIPRI's report, released as part of its latest yearbook, warns that major nuclear powers are increasingly 'walking away' from disarmament commitments, highlighting a concerning trend in global nuclear proliferation.
The report suggests that China's nuclear expansion is driven by perceived threats from other nuclear states, reflecting a broader military modernization effort among these powers. While China maintains that its nuclear capabilities are for defensive purposes, the growing stockpile raises alarms about the potential for an arms race in the region.
The stagnation of disarmament talks globally further complicates the situation, as nations prioritize military readiness over diplomatic engagement. As many governments grapples with these developments, the implications for global security and stability remain profound, with calls for renewed dialogue on nuclear disarmament becoming increasingly urgent.
Sources
3 of 3 linked articles