Nuclear Arsenal in China Much Bigger Than Believed

The Epoch Times ^ | July 10, 2012 | Matthew Robertson

[Navy Patriot]

The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) notoriously opaque nuclear arsenal could be much bigger than the estimates prevalent in the United States—up to 1,800 warheads as opposed to the 300 or 400 currently thought—according to a report authored by a retired Russian colonel general.

In addition, the report says that the PRC has rail-mounted intercontinental ballistic missiles equipped with nuclear warheads, and nuclear warheads on a series of ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) and cruise missiles—statements that contradict dominant understandings of China’s nuclear posture.

Viktor Yesin, the former chief of the main staff of the Strategic Rocket Forces and currently professor at the Academy of Military Sciences, published his view in the military publication Military-Industrial Courier in early May.

He writes that Chinese factories that supply fissile material could have as of 2011 produced 40 tons of weapons-grade uranium and about 10 tons of weapons-grade plutonium, enough for a total of 3,600 nuclear warheads.

[LittleBillyInfidel]

You have exploded what remains of my pea sized brain with that one! :)

[gandalftb]

Here is Yesin’s original article (in Russian):

http://vpk-news.ru/articles/8838

Yesin claims China is producing fissionable material at a place called Koko Nor. However, China closed Koko Nor in 1987 and moved their nuke weapons design and fabrication to Mianyang.

Karber could have seen those errors and amended his analysis. Karber should also know that the Epoch Times is run by the Falun Gong.

[Navy Patriot]

Thanks for the link, I don't read Russian and have a great deal of difficulty in detecting those misquoted sources.

The Epoch Times has the Alice in Wonderland position of being virulently anti Communist yet pro extreme Socialist, because, as you point out, they are a publicity organ of the Falun Gong. They would take an opportunity to demonize the Communists, if one presented it's self.

However, the new China is very aware of the power of publicity and perception, and would conceal activities that would create a disturbing perception of China in the international community.

[gandalftb]

The Epoch Times does a great job of exposing the inner working of China.

This was a case where they were hustled by Russian disinformation.

The kicker is that Karber is an experienced and credible defense analyst that didn’t fact check the Russian report.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Navy Patriot.

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