
China Submarine Capabilities
A highlight of global trends in the sale and acquisition of diesel- and nuclear-powered submarines by country with capabilities, imports and exports. (CNS)
Country Spotlight
In 1964 China became the world’s fifth nuclear-weapon state, formally recognized under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). China has recently increased its warhead count while modernizing its strategic missile forces and nuclear submarine fleet, making its stockpile the world’s third largest (although much smaller than that of the U.S. or Russia).
Region East Asia and the Pacific
~500 Nuclear warheads
~350 Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)
~300 New ballistic missile silos revealed in 2021-2022
2021 Enacted export control law which controls for dual-use items
A highlight of global trends in the sale and acquisition of diesel- and nuclear-powered submarines by country with capabilities, imports and exports. (CNS)