Chinese nuclear forces, 2020

Abstract

The Nuclear Notebook is researched and written by Hans M. Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project with the Federation of American Scientists, and Matt Korda, a research associate with the project. The Nuclear Notebook column has been published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists since 1987. This issue’s column examines China’s nuclear arsenal, which we conclude has now surpassed France’s as the world’s third largest. We estimate that China's stockpile now includes roughly 270 operational warheads with another 78 being introduced for a total inventory of up to 350 warheads. The stockpile is projected to increase further in the next decade but remain significantly smaller than that of Russia or the United States.