May 25, 2006 :: News
On May 23, the Pentagon released its annual report to Congress on the military power of the People’s Republic of China. The report states that China is “pursuing strategic forces modernization to provide a credible, survivable nuclear deterrent and counterstrike capability in response to its perception of an increasingly complex nuclear security environment.” In particular, China is developing forces and concepts focused on denying adversaries the ability to deploy near its borders. The most glaring example is the fact that China is “qualitatively and quantitatively improving its long-range nuclear missile force.” The report adds that China might be revising its policy of “no first use,” meaning that it is considering the use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapons-free zones.
The report also notes that Chinese ballistic missile testing increased in 2005, and states that such an increase “indicat[es] the priority China places on strengthening this force.” It notes that “China’s expansion of missile and other military forces opposite Taiwan has continued unabated.” By the end of 2004, China had deployed 650-730 mobile CSS-6 and CSS-7 short-range ballistic missiles; by the end of 2005, this number had increased to 710-790. The new SRBMs are believed to feature increased range and accuracy. China is also modernizing its longer-range ballistic missile force “by qualitatively upgrading and/or replacing older systems with newer, more survivable ones,” including the DF-31, a new road-mobile, solid-propellant ICBM. The report notes that an extended-range DF-31A “can target most of the world, including the continental United States.” China is also deploying the JL-2 SLBM on its Jin-class (Type 094) ballistic missile submarines, and developing new methods to counter ballistic missiles defenses.
The Pentagon adds that China has acquired new Russian-made S-300P (SA-10) and S-400 (SA-20) air/missile defense interceptors, and has deployed them along the Taiwan Strait. China is also expected to deploy an extended range S-300PMU2, which would allow the People’s Liberation Army to engage targets over Taiwanese airspace. At the same time, China is developing “new concept” high energy weapon systems such as radio frequency and laser-based systems that could be used against missiles, aircraft, and command and control units. Evidence also exists that Beijing continues to pursue a new offensive anti-satellite system, which would most likely include a ground-based laser designed to damage or blind imaging satellites. (Article)
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