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Chinese land-based nuclear missile force

Nuclear force componentActivePending verification

Also known as: PLARF nuclear forces

Nuclear ForcesCHN
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Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeNuclear force component
Alternative designationsPLARF nuclear forces
ProliferationOrigin country only
BasesSix missile bases (61–66) controlling 6–8 brigades each; about 34 nuclear-capable brigadesMed[1]
Warhead inventory
Warheads assigned400–500 warheadsOver 400 on ICBMs plus about 100 for regional missilesLow[1]
Delivery
Launchers775475 are ICBM launchersMed[1]
Delivery systemsDF-5A/B/C, DF-31A (about 24 launchers), DF-31AG (seven brigades), DF-31B, DF-41 (about 28 launchers, up to 3 MIRVs), DF-61, DF-26 (about 300 launchers, dual-capable)Med[1]
Warhead types#535 (DF-31 class), #5x5 lower-yield design, #506 multi-megaton (DF-5A)Med[1]
Summary

PLA Rocket Force nuclear missiles: about 775 launchers for nuclear-capable missiles, 475 of them ICBM launchers.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
Sources
  1. Chinese nuclear weapons, 2026, Federation of American Scientists Nuclear Notebook, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
    Published/updated 2026-07-01 · Tier 2 · checked 2026-11-08
Change log
  • 2026-11-08 Entry created from Chinese nuclear weapons, 2026 (FAS Nuclear Notebook)