China has 70 ICBMs, says Russian newspaper
Staff Reporter 2013-04-22 08:48
Concept art for China's DF-41 ICBM launcher. (Internet photo)
Nezavisimaya Gazata, an online newspaper based in Moscow, has reported on China's Dong Feng ballistic missiles and Chang Jian cruise missile after the two weapons systems were mentioned in the defense white paper published by the Chinese government on Apr. 15,
Nezavisimaya Gazata said that of the People's Liberation Army's 200 strategic missiles, 70 are ICBMs with the range to strike targets within the United States, reflecting the PLA's increasing ability to launch a nuclear counterattack.
The information was provided by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute based in Sweden and the London International Institute for Strategic Studies based in the United Kingdom. Michael Flynn, director of the US Defense Intelligence Agency, reported to Congress however that the PLA has fewer than 50 ICBMs which could attack the United States.
A Wall Street Journal report indicates that the United States has 806 strategic missiles, Russia has 491, while China is estimated to have between 50 and 75 but plans to hold 500 strategic missiles in the near future. To penetrate US missile defenses, the PLA Navy also plans to deploy submarines capable of launching nuclear strikes such as the Type 096 Tang-class.
