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Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Inside the rise of China's military
How significant is China's military buildup? What does Xi Jinping's ongoing purge mean for the People's Liberation Army? And how likely is an invasion of Taiwan in the next few years? Dive into the strengths and weaknesses of China's military and its remarkable transformation over the last few decades from obsolete to world-class in a three-part podcast series with Battle Lines host Venetia Rainey. As the US pivots to the Indo-Pacific and the threat of a truly global war looms, understanding the evolving role of China's military on the world stage has never been more important. Episode 1 - From obsolete to world-class Once little more than some rusting planes and ships, episode one looks at how the People's Liberation Army built itself up. Today, its strengths include a vastly modernised Navy, now the largest globally, and an Air Force equipped with stealth fighters and advanced drones. Plus, there is growing focus on China's potent non-conventional forces, such as its highly sophisticated cyber warfare units, its independent aerospace and counter-space capabilities, and the secretive Rocket Force, responsible for a fast-expanding nuclear arsenal. Episode 2 - The three major flaws For all its strengths, China's military is not a real army - it's the armed wing of the Chinese Communist Party. Ideology is paramount and corruption is endemic. Plus, the People's Liberation Army hasn't fought a war since 1979. Xi Jinping calls it 'the peace disease'. Episode two looks at the PLA's weaknesses and how the Chinese president is trying to fix them, from endless purges of top generals to a specially built training centre in Mongolia and live-fire drills around Taiwan. Episode 3 - Taiwan Will China invade Taiwan? If so, when and what signs should we look for that will show it is imminent? How exactly could Beijing seize the island? And what would the US do in response? These questions have been at the core of Indo-Pacific security concerns for decades, but in recent years, the threat has become more tangible - and the questions more urgent. Episode three considers different views on whether Beijing is getting ready to invade the self-ruled island it claims as its own. What are the different scenarios that could unfold and crucially, what that would mean for a conflict with the US? Listen to Battle Lines using the audio players in this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast app.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
80 years since Hiroshima, in the wake of Operation Sindoor, the nuclear conversation
Lost in the thrust and parry of the parliamentary debate on Operation Sindoor were PM Narendra Modi's several references to Pakistan's 'nuclear threats' and 'nuclear blackmail'. They reflected a deliberate articulation of India's more assertive security doctrine, representing a calculated move to redefine the deterrence equation in South Asia. That India is prepared to act against terrorism regardless of Pakistan's 'nuclear bluff' is ostensibly intended to enhance India's deterrent credibility. The three-way China-India-Pakistan nuclear relationship has created a complex web of interlocking deterrence. All three countries are modernising and expanding their nuclear arsenals and delivery systems. Given the lack of transparency regarding nuclear arsenals and doctrines, and a marked reluctance to engage in a dialogue on measures to mitigate nuclear risk, the ongoing arms race can further destabilise the region, especially in a crisis such as Pahalgam. August 6, the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, was a reminder of the horrors of a nuclear holocaust. We need to focus on the management of this complex dynamic and on the prevention of accidental or intentional escalation. China, while officially maintaining principles of both 'credible minimum deterrence' and 'no first use' (NFU), is engaged in rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal — predicted to reach 1,000 warheads by 2030. At the same time, the PLA's Rocket Force (PLARF) is fielding increasingly sophisticated missile systems, such as the 12,000-15,000 km range DF-41 and the hypersonic DF-17. PLARF's inventory consists of both conventionally armed and nuclear-tipped missiles, raising a question about China's posture: Is this 'dual-capability' a deliberate strategic choice or merely an organisational detail? Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is aimed exclusively at India, and apart from reserving the right to 'first use', it has refrained from declaring an official nuclear doctrine. Pakistan's transition from 'minimum credible deterrence' to 'full spectrum deterrence' (FSD), which envisages the deployment of low-yield or tactical nuclear weapons, has been rationalised as a measure to counter the Indian army's 'Cold Start' doctrine. The latter, it may be recalled, was a conceptual remedy for India's slow general mobilisation during the 2001-2002 Operation Parakram. However, it is only now that this concept of integrated battle groups is seeing daylight in the form of recently announced 'Rudra' brigades. India's political leadership has stood by its two long-held beliefs: (a) that the sole purpose of nuclear weapons is to deter a nuclear attack, by holding out a threat of 'massive retaliation' and (b) nuclear weapons were political instruments rather than military warfighting tools. As a status quo power, India's declarations of NFU and its intention of maintaining a 'credible minimum deterrent' made eminent sense. But much has changed since this doctrine was promulgated in 2003. Moreover, emerging technologies have added to the complexity of existing nuclear conundrums. The 'dual-use' potential of technologies such as AI, advanced computing, and hypersonic delivery systems could blur the traditional distinction between conventional and nuclear. For example, a precise surface-to-surface missile could carry either a conventional or a nuclear warhead, making it difficult to ascertain the nature of an incoming attack and decide an appropriate response. The development of smaller, 'dial a yield' nuclear warheads permits calibration of a single warhead to be detonated with a range of explosive effects, varying from sub-kiloton to hundreds of kilotons. The availability of such options could make their use more thinkable in a conventional conflict scenario, potentially lowering the nuclear threshold. Since 1998, the Subcontinent has seen a few sporadic attempts at evolving confidence-building measures and nuclear risk reduction measures (NRRMs), including the 1999 Lahore MoU on measures to prevent accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons, the 2005 Agreement on Pre-Notification of Missile Tests, and the 2007 Agreement to Reduce Nuclear Risks. But these are not enough, and a sustained dialogue is essential. In the context of NRRMs, serious note needs to be taken of media reports citing open-source intelligence that during Operation Sindoor, some of the Indian missiles that targeted Mushaf air base in Pakistan's Sargodha region and the Nur Khan air base near Rawalpindi had impacted in the close vicinity of either nuclear warhead storages or Pakistan's nuclear command and control nodes. While the IAF's DG Air Operations firmly denied the targeting of any of Pakistan's nuclear installations, mischievous speculation has persisted about India's 'warning strike', implying that it was a demonstration of capability rather than an attempt to destroy the underground facilities. The planners and custodians of nuclear weapons must note that targeting an adversary's nuclear assets, even inadvertently, with conventional weapons, can be misinterpreted as a 'counter-force' strategy, which is fraught with the risk of rapid escalation to nuclear war. The hazards and doctrinal confusion that would arise from such an action bear consideration. First, a conventional strike against a nuclear facility would be indistinguishable from a nuclear first strike. Given the extremely short timelines for decision-making in a nuclear crisis, the 'use them or lose them' syndrome may cut in, leading the targeted party to launch its nuclear arsenal before it is destroyed. Desperate options like 'launch on warning' or 'launch under attack' may be considered. Second, while it may not trigger a nuclear detonation, a conventional attack or 'near-miss' on a nuclear storage facility could cause a massive release of radioactive material, simulating a 'dirty bomb', with devastating humanitarian and environmental consequences. Finally, conventional attacks aimed at command-and-control nodes could render the adversary deaf and blind, depriving him of the ability to assess the situation accurately, communicate with his forces or issue rational orders. These are amongst some of the manifold reasons why there is an urgent need for initiation of a sustained nuclear dialogue between India and Pakistan, insulated from the vagaries of politics. Such an interaction, by reducing mutual suspicion and enhancing transparency, might slow down the nuclear arms race and the mindless build-up of arsenals. The writer is a former Indian Navy chief
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
China Reveals Details of Nuclear Missile Test
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In another move coinciding with the 98th anniversary of the founding of its armed forces, China has released footage of last year's high-profile test launch of a nuclear-capable missile. As the military celebrated the anniversary of its founding on Friday, Chinese state media also disclosed details about a submarine equipped with nuclear missiles and Beijing officially unveiled its fourth Type 075 amphibious assault ship. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for further comment via email. Why It Matters The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)—carrying a dummy warhead—into international waters in the Pacific on September 25, 2024. The long-range missile was identified by an expert as a DF-31AG. The test—Beijing's first since the 1980s—comes as the Chinese military undergoes accelerated nuclear development following an order from its leader, Xi Jinping. China's nuclear arsenal is estimated to be the third largest in the world, with at least 600 warheads. The launch raised concerns among countries in the South Pacific, as the dummy warhead splashed down within the region's nuclear-free zone, according to a Newsweek map. What To Know The Chinese military's media wing aired footage of the ICBM test on Thursday, showing the missile—which has not been officially identified—ascending after its launch. A photograph of the launch—similar to the new footage—was officially released the day after the event. China Central Television also published a report on the footage, citing an officer from the Rocket Force—which is responsible for the PLA's nuclear and conventional missiles—who said the test was tied to the Rocket Force's honor, as well as the country's dignity and confidence. The officer further stated that he and his fellow Rocket Force members will "always be ready" to accomplish missions as ordered. "I have been waiting for this moment for more than 20 years," he said, referring to the ICBM test, which Beijing described as a success. In its most recent report on Chinese nuclear weapons, the Federation of American Scientists estimated that China possesses 462 land-based missile launchers capable of targeting the continental U.S., including those from the DF-5, DF-31 and DF-41 missile families. Chinese military expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times that the ICBM test launch footage demonstrated China's nuclear second-strike capabilities and its deterrence power. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Rocket Force launches an intercontinental ballistic missile into international waters in the Pacific Ocean on September 25, 2024. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Rocket Force launches an intercontinental ballistic missile into international waters in the Pacific Ocean on September 25, 2024. China's Defense Ministry A second-strike capability refers to the ability to retaliate after an initial strike launched by an enemy. China has claimed that it maintains a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons, which, according to Song, means the country must be able to counterstrike if attacked first. In addition to abiding by the no first use policy, China "commits unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones," the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., previously told Newsweek. What People Are Saying China's Defense Ministry announced in September 2024: "This [ICBM] test launch is a routine arrangement in our annual training plan. It is in line with international law and international practice and is not directed against any country or target." China's Embassy in Washington, D.C., previously told Newsweek: "China is the only nuclear-weapon state to adopt [a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons]. China will continue to be firmly committed to safeguarding its legitimate security interests and upholding world peace and stability." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether China will conduct another ICBM test soon, as the Pentagon has assessed that the East Asian power will possess over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How China's military went from obsolete to world-class
Dive into the strengths and weaknesses of China's military and its remarkable transformation over the last few decades from obsolete to world-class in a new special series on Battle Lines. How significant is China's military buildup? What does Xi Jinping's ongoing purge mean for the People's Liberation Army? And how likely is an invasion of Taiwan in the next few years? As the US pivots to the Indo-Pacific and the threat of a truly global war looms, understanding the evolving role of China's military on the world stage has never been more important. In episode one of this three-part series, Venetia Rainey uncovers the strengths that define the PLA today, from its vastly modernised Navy, now the largest globally, to its Air Force equipped with stealth fighters and advanced drones. Plus, a look at China's potent non-conventional forces, such as its highly sophisticated cyber warfare units, its independent aerospace and counter-space capabilities, and the secretive Rocket Force, responsible for a fast-expanding nuclear arsenal. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
Al Manar
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Yemeni Armed Forces Target ‘Israel's' Main Airport with Hypersonic Ballistic Missile
The Yemeni Armed Forces announced Sunday that they conducted a military operation targeting Israel's main a statement, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the spokesperson for the YAF, reported that the Rocket Force targeted al-Lydd Airport, also known as Ben Gurion Airport, located near Tel Aviv. Saree stated the attack was carried out using a Palestine-2 hypersonic ballistic missile. Statement by the Yemeni Armed Forces: A military operation targeted Lod Airport in the occupied Yafa area with a hypersonic ballistic missile of the 'Palestine-2' type. — سبأ (@alsyasiah) July 6, 2025 According to Saree, the operation successfully achieved its objective, resulting in a halt to air traffic and causing millions of Israeli settlers to seek shelter. The spokesperson added that the operation was in support of the oppressed Palestinian people and their Resistance fighters, and in response to the ongoing genocide committed by 'Israel' in the Gaza Strip. The Yemeni Armed Forces affirm that their operations will continue until the Israeli aggression on Gaza is halted and the blockade imposed on the Palestinian enclave is lifted, Saree stressed, underscoring the YAF's full readiness to respond to any developments in the coming days.
