by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Recently, the head of the U.S. Strategic Command reported to Congress that China is creating a new class of mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles, signifying a substantial expansion of its nuclear weapon arsenal, the Washington Times reported.
Gen. Anthony Cotton, who assumed leadership of Strategic Command in December, disclosed information about the development of the new mobile ICBM during a private session with the Senate Armed Services Committee last week, according to The Washington Times.
The four-star nuclear forces commander labeled China’s rapid deployment of strategic missiles, bombers, and submarines as “breathtaking,” making him the second Strategic Command leader to highlight Beijing’s alarming pace of its nuclear expansion.
Gen. Cotton briefly mentioned the new missile in his prepared testimony to the committee and highlighted China’s missile advancements. He noted that China now surpasses the United States in the number of ICBM launchers and disclosed that the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force is working on a new generation of mobile ICBMs.
In 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted China’s comprehensive nuclear expansion as a part of a five-year strategy. The plan aims to bolster strategic forces and hasten the development of advanced strategic deterrence capabilities for its nuclear arsenal.
During a committee hearing on February 29, Gen. Cotton was questioned about China’s expansion of its nuclear capabilities across land, sea, and air. He responded, “As my predecessor said — and I love using this terminology — …the breakout that we saw and the advancements and how quickly the advancements that we’re seeing in China to rapidly create a viable triad is breathtaking.”
Sen. Deb Fischer, a Republican from Nebraska and a member of the Senate Armed Services’ strategic forces subcommittee, expressed serious concerns about China’s rapid nuclear expansion. She noted that the Chinese Communist Party is rapidly modernizing its nuclear forces, producing new weapons and delivery systems at a pace that surpasses the U.S.
“The tragedy is that the U.S. is now struggling to modernize all three legs of our nuclear triad at the same time, and the Biden administration has no intention to expand the U.S. strategic or theater nuclear arsenal,” Mr. Fisher stated. “This is a recipe for nuclear coercion, military defeat, and watching your kids being drafted to fight future wars of survival.”
Critics argue that the Biden administration has been slow to react to China’s rapid advancement in nuclear capabilities, opting instead to engage Beijing in arms control discussions. However, China has so far declined to participate in meaningful strategic arms negotiations, partially justifying its stance by pointing out that its nuclear arsenal is significantly smaller than those of the U.S. and Russia.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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