Dec 1, 2011

Study of China's nuclear arsenal and tunnel system indicates China could have 3000 nucler weapons

Washington Post - Georgetown University has released a 363-page study on china's nuclear weapons and tunnel system. It is the largest body of public knowledge about thousands of miles of tunnels dug by the Second Artillery Corps, a secretive branch of the Chinese military in charge of protecting and deploying its ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads. The study concludes that China’s nuclear arsenal could be many times larger than the well-established estimates of arms-control experts.



The study’s critics have questioned the unorthodox Internet-based research of the students. The strongest condemnation has come from nonproliferation experts who worry that the study could fuel arguments for maintaining nuclear weapons in an era when efforts are being made to reduce the world’s post-Cold War stockpiles.

Some had estimated that China had 75 to 240 nuclear weapons. A few studies had estimated 400. This study is saying China could have 3000 nuclear weapons.