China’s nuclear arsenal surpasses 600 warheads Top US General Warns of Rising Global Threats

Lieutenant General Andrew J. Gebara, the U.S. Air Force’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, stated that China has expanded its nuclear arsenal by more than 100 warheads, raising its total stockpile to over 600 weapons.

During congressional testimony this week, Gebara noted that, he sharp rise underscores China’s accelerated nuclear modernisation drive, Caliber.Az reports per U.S. media.

“China is the pacing threat for U.S. defence,” Gebara stated, warning that Beijing is on track to field more than 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030. 

These capabilities range from low-yield theatre weapons to high-yield Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), offering a flexible spectrum of escalation options.

Gebara pointed to Beijing’s development of a full nuclear triad—bombers, submarines, and land-based missiles—and a growing embrace of launch-on-warning posture, despite China’s declared ‘No First Use’ policy. “The range of nuclear options available will provide Chinese Communist Party and military leaders with new means to leverage nuclear weapons for coercive purposes,” he warned.

Newly constructed ICBM silo fields now house solid-fuel missiles, marking a departure from China's historical reliance on liquid-fueled systems. Mobile ICBMs equipped with multiple warheads and increasing precision further enhance China's deterrent and regional strike capacity.

“China’s Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs) are its first nuclear-capable missiles capable of precision strikes,” Gebara added, identifying them as the likely delivery platform for near-term lower-yield warheads. China is also reportedly developing advanced technologies such as Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs) and a Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS).

“On July 27, 2021, China tested an ICBM-range HGV travelling about 25,000 miles, demonstrating the ability to field a FOBS, further complicating U.S. homeland defence measures,” Gebara said.

Turning to Russia, Gebara noted it maintains the world’s largest and most diverse nuclear stockpile and is nearing completion of a sweeping modernisation programme. “As of February 2024, Russia claimed to have upgraded 95% of its nuclear forces,” he said.

Russia’s arsenal includes around 2,000 non-strategic nuclear weapons not limited by the New START Treaty—ranging from gravity bombs to novel systems such as nuclear-armed underwater drones. “Russia’s unlawful suspension of the New START Treaty in 2023 has left the United States unable to confirm compliance as of January 2025,” Gebara added.

In East Asia, North Korea continues to expand its nuclear-capable delivery systems while escalating its rhetoric. “Kim Jong Un remains committed to increasing North Korea’s nuclear warhead stockpile and improving his country’s ballistic missile capabilities to threaten the United States and its allies,” said Gebara.

The North conducted three IRBM launches in 2024, each reportedly carrying hypersonic payloads, and continues to emphasise tactical nuclear weapon development and diversified warhead sizes.

Regarding Iran, Gebara expressed alarm over its expanding nuclear programme and missile capabilities. “The International Atomic Energy Agency reported in February 2025 that Iran has significantly increased production and accumulation of high enriched uranium,” he said. Iran also possesses the largest missile force in the Middle East and is developing systems that could be converted to ICBM-class if reconfigured.

“Observed strategic alignment and partnerships between these four countries create dangerous synergy as an emerging anti-western coalition,” Gebara said. He cited North Korean forces’ involvement in the Ukraine war as a clear indicator of deepening ties.

“The United States now confronts the potential for simultaneous conflicts with two or more nuclear-armed powers,” Gebara warned. “The Department of the Air Force cannot face these threats alone, and we will increasingly look for ways to collaborate with our partners and allies to share the security burden of maintaining our mutual security interests.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev