China building new nuclear missile base

Satellite images appear to show China is building a new nuclear missile silo field, indicating a potentially vast expansion of Beijing’s nuclear arsenal. It is the second such discovery in weeks


Hami field: U.S. analysts identify 110 silos in area of around 800sq km in Xinjiang province

Dome structure erected over one construction site

Temporary construction sites
70m
50m


Recently identified silo fields

DF-5 missile silo area

Yumen field: 120 silos detected in Gansu province

Jilantai training area: Construction of 14 new silos

RUSSIA 
MONGOLIA
CHINA
INDIA
JAPAN
East China Sea
TAIWAN
PACIFIC OCEAN
South China Sea
9-10 silos
9-10 silos
800km 500 miles
DF-41 missile

For decades China has operated about 20 silos for liquid-fuel DF-5 missiles, but new fields will provide around 250 new silos – more than 10 times number currently in operation

New silos possibly intended for new three-stage, solid fuel DF-41 missile, which can carry multiple warheads and reach targets up to 15,000km, putting U.S. mainland within reach


Source: Federation of American Scientists (FAS) 
Picture: FAS, Planet Labs, Inc 
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