China has loaded over 100 nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles into desert silos near Mongolia, capable of striking American cities within minutes, according to a bombshell Pentagon report.
Story Snapshot
- Pentagon confirms China deployed 100+ ICBMs in three silo fields near Mongolia, marking shift from construction to operational capability
- Chinese missiles can strike US mainland with MIRV warheads, undermining American missile defense systems
- Beijing dismisses Pentagon findings as “speculative China threat hype” while refusing transparency on nuclear arsenal
- Trump administration responds with “Golden Fleet” battleship program to counter escalating Chinese nuclear threat
Pentagon Confirms Operational Nuclear Threat
A draft Pentagon report released December 23, 2025, confirms China’s People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force has loaded more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles into silo fields across the Gobi Desert. The assessment represents a dramatic escalation from previous reports that focused on silo construction to confirmed deployment of operational nuclear weapons. These DF-41 and DF-31 ICBMs possess multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle capabilities, designed specifically to overwhelm American missile defense systems.
Strategic Implications for American Security
The missile deployment fundamentally alters the nuclear balance between Washington and Beijing, positioning China to achieve strategic parity with the United States and Russia by 2030. Pentagon analysts warn the silo fields near Hami and Yumen represent China’s rejection of arms control negotiations, prioritizing military expansion over diplomatic solutions. This buildup occurs alongside escalating tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea, creating dangerous possibilities for miscalculation during future crises.
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Chinese Denial Campaign Continues
Beijing’s state-controlled Global Times dismissed the Pentagon findings as fabricated justifications for increased American defense spending. Chinese officials label the assessment “speculative China threat hype,” continuing their pattern of rejecting transparency about nuclear capabilities while simultaneously expanding their arsenal. This denial contradicts satellite imagery and intelligence assessments that have tracked silo construction since 2021, when researchers first identified over 300 potential launch sites across western China’s desert regions.
Trump Administration Responds with Naval Buildup
President Trump announced his “Golden Fleet” battleship initiative the same day the Pentagon report surfaced, directly linking naval expansion to Chinese nuclear threats. The administration seeks congressional funding for advanced missile defense systems and naval deterrence capabilities to counter Beijing’s growing nuclear reach. Defense contractors including Lockheed Martin and Raytheon stand to benefit from increased military spending as lawmakers confront the reality of China’s accelerated nuclear modernization program under Xi Jinping’s leadership.
The confirmed deployment of operational ICBMs represents Beijing’s most significant nuclear escalation since beginning its military modernization campaign in 2010, transforming theoretical capabilities into immediate threats against American cities and military installations.
Sources:
Pentagon reports full of speculation to justify US upgrades – Global Times
Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2024 – Department of Defense
