United States: China may step up its nuclear weapons program in response to remarks by a senior US general that the country's nuclear arsenal could help prevent an attack on Taiwan, according to military analysts.
Air Force General Anthony Cotton, named for the Pentagon's strategic chief, said: "At the end of the day, both Russia and China understand that we have a strong, resilient nuclear force that is offering deterrence to itself and our enemies." increasing." Command, who is in charge of nuclear operations.
He also agreed with Republican Senator Josh Hawley's claim that the use of nuclear weapons in conjunction with conventional denial techniques could stop China "at hand".
According to the military newspaper Stars and Stripes, Cotton informed Hawley in a private conversation earlier in the week that China could not escalate an attack on Taiwan if its forces were unable to cross the Taiwan Strait and allowed Beijing to use US nuclear weapons. capabilities are conveyed. ,
Cotton said that due to China's rapid rise to power, which has put the US in a triangular nuclear competition for the first time, the US needs to re-evaluate its nuclear defense strategy.
We have seen his use of nuclear force as being incredibly elaborate. Cotton remarked during the hearing, the People's Liberation Army is now capable of launching nuclear bombs from land, sea and aircraft.
Former PLA instructor Song Zhongping claimed Cotton's statement suggested the US would continue to support the low-yield nuclear bomb program that began in 2018.
When the US decides to intervene in the potential Taiwan scenario, it is predictable that it will use low-yield, or strategic nuclear warheads, Song said.
Because of Beijing's "no first use" policy, the Americans can "use those strategic nuclear bombs to strike major military bases and facilities in China."
China will use nuclear weapons under a no-first-use policy only if it has already been a victim of a nuclear attack. Song claimed that in response to Cotton's comments, the PLA would "modestly increase the number of its nuclear weapons" to be prepared for any potential conflict.
According to a Pentagon report published in November, China has increased its nuclear capability and could have 700 deliverable weapons by 2027 and at least 1,000 by 2030.
Zhou Chenming, a researcher at the Yuan Wang military science and technology think tank in Beijing, claimed that China is less likely to spend significantly on expanding its nuclear arsenal than it is on advancing its ballistic missile technology to counterattack. Will spend
Since all nuclear weapons have expiration dates, having more nuclear warheads will result in higher maintenance costs, according to Zhou, who also said that China would increase its ability to use technologies created through its space program or penetrate defense. would like to focus on.
For example, ballistic missiles are made difficult to intercept by applying orbital transfer to space, he said.
Since the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was ratified by the United Nations in September 1996, there hasn't been much progress in nuclear bomb technology, but according to Zhou, China has found more room for maneuver in the development of anti-ballistic missiles.
Despite not ratifying the agreement, China announced in July 1996 that it had stopped conducting atmospheric nuclear tests.
Zhou Chenming, a researcher at the Yuan Wang military science and technology think tank in Beijing, disagreed, claiming that China would spend more money on countering anti-ballistic missile technology than adding more nuclear weapons.
"More nuclear warheads mean higher maintenance costs because all nuclear weapons have expiration dates," said Zhou, who also noted that China prefers to focus on increasing its ability to use technologies created through its space program.
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