SIPRI Yearbook 2012
V. Chinese nuclear forces
China is gradually expanding its nuclear arsenal as part of a long-term modernization programme aimed at developing a more survivable force and strengthening its nuclear retaliatory capabilities. China’s nuclear forces have long been the least transparent among the legally recognized nuclear weapon states. China is estimated to have an arsenal of approximately 200 operational nuclear weapons for delivery mainly by ballistic missiles (see table 7.6). A small number of gravity bombs are believed to be available for delivery by aircraft. Additional warheads may be in reserve, giving a total stockpile of about 240 warheads.
- Citation (MLA):
- Kile, Shannon N., Phillip Schell, Hans M. Kristensen, Vitaly Fedchenko, Alexander Glaser, and Zia Mian International Panel on Fissile Materials. "7. World nuclear forces." SIPRI Yearbook. SIPRI. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2016. Web. 12 Jun. 2025. <https://www.sipriyearbook.org/view/9780199650583/sipri-9780199650583-div1-46.xml>.
- Citation (APA):
- Kile, S., Schell, P., Kristensen, H., Fedchenko, V., Glaser, A., & Mian International Panel on Fissile Materials, Z. (2016). 7. World nuclear forces. In SIPRI, SIPRI Yearbook 2012: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved 12 Jun. 2025, from https://www.sipriyearbook.org/view/9780199650583/sipri-9780199650583-div1-46.xml
- Citation (Chicago):
- Kile, Shannon N., Phillip Schell, Hans M. Kristensen, Vitaly Fedchenko, Alexander Glaser, and Zia Mian International Panel on Fissile Materials. "7. World nuclear forces." In SIPRI Yearbook 2012: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security, SIPRI. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016). Retrieved 12 Jun. 2025, from https://www.sipriyearbook.org/view/9780199650583/sipri-9780199650583-div1-46.xml
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