Not Getting It Right: More Bad Reasons to Have Nuclear Weapons
A recently released report, U.S. Nuclear Deterrence in the 21st Century: Getting It Right, by the ad hoc New Deterrent Working Group with a forward by James Woolsey, is an interesting document. I...
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Missile Mystery in Beijing
The mysterious DF-41 missile did not appear at the Chinese National Day parade on October 1st, but the Chinese Ministry of National Defense says the DF-31A did. But did it, or was it in fact the...
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China’s Noisy Nuclear Submarines
China’s newest nuclear submarines are noisier than 1970s-era Soviet nuclear submarines. . By Hans M. Kristensen China’s new Jin-class ballistic missile submarine is noisier than the Russian Delta...
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Estimated Nuclear Weapons Locations 2009
Some 23,300 nuclear weapons are stored at 111 locations around the world (click for map) . By Hans M. Kristensen The world’s approximately 23,300 nuclear weapons are stored at an estimated 111...
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Jin SSBN Flashes its Tubes
One of China’s two Jin-class SSBNs with two open missile tubes. Click for larger image. . By Hans M. Kristensen One of China’s two new Jin-class SSBNs was photographed with two of its 12 missile tubes...
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Second Chinese Naval Demagnetization Facility Spotted
Click image for large version . By Hans M. Kristensen The Chinese navy has constructed what appears to be a demagnetization facility near an East Sea Fleet submarine base. The facility is the second...
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United States Discloses Size of Nuclear Weapons Stockpile
The Obama administration has declassified the history and size of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, a long-held national secret. Click image to get the fact sheet. By Hans M. Kristensen The Obama...
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China’s Bulava?
. By Hans M. Kristensen Similar to Russia’s troubled Bulava sea-launched ballistic missile, the Pentagon’s latest report on China’s military power reveals that Chinese efforts to develop a new...
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DF-21C Missile Deploys to Central China
China’s new DF-21C missile launcher shows itself in Western China. Image: GoogleEarth . By Hans M. Kristensen The latest Pentagon report on Chinese military forces recently triggered sensational...
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Chinese Nuclear Forces 2010
. By Hans M. Kristensen It’s interesting scary what you can find on the Internet: On Thursday, a Canadian calling himself SinoSoldier posted a report on the Pakistani web site Pakistan Defense...
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Chinese Jin-SSBNs Getting Ready?
Two of China’s new Jin-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines were photographed at Xiaopingdao in late-March 2011, possibly in preparation for missile test launches. (Click for larger...
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Pentagon’s 2011 China Report: Reducing Nuclear Transparency
The Pentagon’s new report on China’s military forces significantly reduces transparency of China’s missile force by eliminating specific missile numbers previously included in the annual overview. ....
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No, China Does Not Have 3,000 Nuclear Weapons
A study from Georgetown University incorrectly suggests that China has 3,000 nuclear weapons.The estimate is off by an order of magnitude. . By Hans M. Kristensen Only the Chinese government knows how...
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Chinese Nuclear Modernization: Smaller and Later
DIA threat assessment shows slower Chinese nuclear modernization. . By Hans M. Kristensen At about the same time nuclear arms reduction opponents last week incorrectly accused the Obama administration...
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Chinese Mobile ICBMs Seen in Central China
Road-mobile DF-31/31A ICBM launchers deploying to Central China are visible on new commercial satellite images. Click on image for larger version. . By Hans M. Kristensen Recent satellite images show...
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Event: Conference on Using Satellite Imagery to Monitor Nuclear Forces and...
This satellite imagery analysis from my conference briefing illustrates upgrade of Chinese mobile nuclear missile launch garrison at Qingyang (30°41’52.64″N, 117°53’36.25″E). Such analysis is becoming...
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STRATCOM Commander Rejects High Estimates for Chinese Nuclear Arsenal
STRATCOM Commander estimates that China has “several hundred” nuclear warheads. . By Hans M. Kristensen The commander of U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) has rejected claims that China’s nuclear...
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Chinese ICBM Force Leveling Out?
By Hans M. Kristensen The size of China’s intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force appears to be leveling out instead of increasing. During Thursday’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on...
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Chinese Nuclear Developments Described (and Omitted) by DOD Report
Click on image to view full-size version. By Hans M. Kristensen Going, going, gone! In its latest annual report to Congress on the military and security developments of the People’s Republic of China,...
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Air Force Briefing Shows Nuclear Modernizations But Ignores US and UK Programs
Click to view large version. Full briefing is here. By Hans M. Kristensen China and North Korea are developing nuclear-capable cruise missiles, according to U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command...
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