Nuclear China : China is today a powerful nuclear nation. It has not only a nuclear weapon capability, but is currently in the process of upgrading delivery systems and improving weapon potential which will project her nuclear capabilities to a truly global reach. Land based missiles are having a range of 15000 km plus.

China first tested a nuclear device on 16 Oct 1964 and is the only nuclear weapon state that has been involved in an armed conflict with a super power - the USSR in 1969. It has the full triad of nuclear forces with a stockpile of 500 plus warheads - Land (Inter Continental Ballistic Missile - ICBM, China is the only country other than the superpowers to have this), Sea (SSBN) and Air (via bombers).

First missile test with nuclear warhead was in 1966. A thermonuclear device was tested successfully in June 1967. She has conducted more than 50 tests at Lop Nor testing site. The yield of the weapons tested range from a few kilo ton to 4 mega ton. First successful SLBM launch was made in 12 Oct 1982. She has developed MRV and MIRV capability. China has tested Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM, 2410 km range, 1981) from nuclear powered Xia class submarine.

China's nuclear potential has the ability to threaten strategic targets in respect of both super powers - the USA and the Russia. Each has developed additional nuclear capability to cater for the Chinese threat. She has the potential to strike Russia with 250 missiles and 150 bombers. China has 5000 km disputed border with Russia. China's nuclear submarine fleet can threaten even those areas on the American continent beyond her present ICBM capability. The USA and Russia are years ahead of her in the nuclear arms race and no amount of arms limitation agreements are likely to radically change the power equation.