The United States Department of Defence has warned that China is pursuing an ambitious plan to become a global superpower by 2049, supported by a world-class military capable of defending its interests worldwide.
In its latest annual report to the United States Congress, presented on December 23, the Pentagon assessed China’s rapidly expanding military capabilities. The report said Beijing has deployed more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the continental United States in the event of a full-scale conflict.
According to the assessment, China has fielded DF-31 nuclear-capable missiles at underground launch facilities known as silos. These solid-fuel missiles can be launched with minimal preparation, significantly reducing response times during a crisis. The report noted that the DF-31 has a range of approximately 6,800 miles, allowing it to strike most parts of the US mainland.
⚡️BREAKING
The Pentagon is ringing alarm bells over China
The United States claims that China aims to have 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030
Six aircraft carriers by 2035
Beijing could take Taiwan in 2027 and has the capabilities to confront the United States if it intervenes pic.twitter.com/QOW6s85i1j
— Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) December 24, 2025The Pentagon described China’s military buildup as historic in scale, spanning nuclear forces, naval expansion, cyber operations, and space capabilities. It warned that the pace and breadth of this expansion have increased US vulnerability, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
The report added that China plans to expand its nuclear arsenal to around 1,000 warheads by 2030, a sharp increase that would place it closer to parity with the world’s largest nuclear powers.
Is China’s military might strong enough for it to become a superpower? @zannymb, our editor-in-chief, Edward Carr, our deputy editor, and our China experts assess the current state of the country’s armed forces. Watch the full discussion of China’s strengths, weaknesses and… pic.twitter.com/85qdzIjBQX
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) December 13, 2025US lawmakers have broadly agreed on the need to counter China’s growing influence and military reach. However, senior US officials said Washington continues to pursue diplomatic channels to prevent escalation. Despite rising tensions, officials stressed that both the Pentagon and the White House are working to reduce the risk of miscalculation and avoid confrontation.
Read: China Sanctions US Defence Firms Over Taiwan Arms Sales
For comparison, a 2024 study by the Federation of American Scientists found that Russia holds the world’s largest number of nuclear warheads, followed closely by the United States.
Analysts say the Pentagon’s latest assessment underscores a shifting global security landscape, with China’s long-term military ambitions now a central concern for US defence planning and international stability.
