News Desk
NEW DEHLI: Indian media reports have claimed, based on satellite imagery, that China is expanding military infrastructure near its nuclear missile silos, including new launch pads, bunkers and communication facilities in remote north-western desert regions.
According to these reports, more than 80 new launch pads and supporting defence structures are believed to be under construction, suggesting a significant expansion of strategic missile-related infrastructure in the area.
The imagery cited in the reports is said to show large-scale military complexes, including protected storage facilities, airfields and communication networks linked to a wider nuclear command-and-control system. Analysts quoted in the coverage suggest the development could enhance China’s second-strike capability — the ability to respond with nuclear force even after absorbing an initial attack.
The developments come amid long-standing concerns raised by the US Department of Defence, which has previously warned that Beijing is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal and could reach around 1,000 warheads by 2030.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking recently, expressed concern over China’s military expansion, while stressing that Washington does not seek unnecessary confrontation. He said the United States aims to maintain a regional balance of power in Asia where no single country can assert dominance.
He also reiterated that US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, although future arms sales decisions would depend on the discretion of the US president.
The reports underline growing strategic competition between China and the United States, particularly in the context of nuclear deterrence and military modernisation trends across the Asia-Pacific region.
