China has begun expanding nuclear warhead production infrastructure as it continues to build stockpiles and develop rapid counterstrike capabilities, The Washington Post reported on Sunday.
Satellite imagery showed increased activity and construction at multiple nuclear development and production sites across China, according to the report, which was based on imagery and analysis shared with The Washington Post by the Open Nuclear Network (ONN) and the Verification Research, Training and Information Center (VERTIC).
China is suspected of upgrading facilities used to produce the plutonium warhead cores and sites manufacturing explosives used to detonate the warheads, as well as expanding test chambers.
The report specifically identified the Zitong site in Sichuan province as one location suspected of being one of the main hubs for expanded Chinese nuclear testing.
Renny Babiarz, a scientist who led the analysis, identified a 430,000-square-foot facility on site that was completed in the past year.
Babiarz’s team speculated that the facility may be used to assemble, handle, and prepare warhead components.
Lop Nur, another one of China’s main nuclear testing sites, has also seen increased construction on underground tunnels and shafts that may be used for testing.
Babiarz stated that the observed construction indicates “huge investment” and “an improved capability to produce nuclear warheads for the nuclear program,” according to The Washington Post.
According to a report released by the United States Department of Defense on December 23, 2025, China has a little over 600 nuclear warheads stockpiled thus far and is on track to possess over 1,000 by 2030.
China developing rapid counterstrike infrastructure
The Pentagon report also indicated that China is making progress on developing infrastructure for a rapid counterstrike system similar to the US’s launch on warning system.
The rapid counterstrike system would detect enemy missile launches and enable the launching of counterstrikes to intercept the projectile before impact.
China has deployed an increased number of early-warning satellites and ground-based radars to support the system since 2024, according to the Pentagon.
Additionally, it is estimated that China has loaded over 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles with possible nuclear capabilities into silos suspected to be related to the development of the rapid counterstrike system.
The Washington Post reported that recently published Chinese military textbooks described the system as deterrence “essential for national security in peacetime.”
A textbook published last year by China’s National University of Defense Technology additionally stated that “strategic early warning is among decisive factors reflecting a nation’s military strength.”