China’s Rocket Force has deployed over 900 ballistic missiles capable of striking Taiwan and 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles that can deliver nuclear warheads globally, posing an unprecedented threat to U.S. military dominance in the Asia-Pacific region.
Key Takeaways
- The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) has deployed a massive missile arsenal threatening U.S. forces, including 400 ground-launched cruise missiles, 1,300 intermediate-range ballistic missiles, and 500 medium-range missiles capable of reaching parts of Alaska
- China’s hypersonic missile technology, including the “carrier killer” Dong Feng-17, has surpassed some U.S. capabilities and threatens American naval forces
- China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal with over 600 warheads and aims to reach 1,000 operational warheads
- The PLARF’s sophisticated “kill webs” of sensors and weapons allow for coordinated military responses that could challenge U.S. operations throughout the region
- The Pentagon has requested a $961.6 billion defense budget for 2026 to counter China’s growing military threat
China’s Growing Missile Arsenal Threatens U.S. Military Dominance
The Chinese military has assembled a formidable missile force that now poses a direct challenge to America’s strategic position in the Asia-Pacific region. At the heart of this threat is the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF), which has systematically built an arsenal designed specifically to counter U.S. military advantages. Pentagon officials have confirmed that China now possesses 400 ground-launched cruise missiles within the First Island Chain, 1,300 intermediate-range ballistic missiles threatening the Second Island Chain, 500 medium-range missiles capable of reaching parts of Alaska and Australia, and 900 short-range ballistic missiles that could strike Taiwan in a conflict scenario.
The sheer scale of China’s missile deployment represents a calculated strategy to gain regional military superiority. Most concerning to U.S. defense planners is China’s investment in advanced hypersonic missile technology, including the Dong Feng-17 “carrier killer” missile, specifically designed to target and potentially neutralize U.S. aircraft carriers. These hypersonic weapons travel at more than five times the speed of sound and can maneuver during flight, making them extremely difficult to track and intercept with current U.S. defensive systems. This capability directly threatens America’s traditional naval dominance in the Western Pacific.
Nuclear Expansion and Strategic Threats
“China’s military buildup extends beyond conventional missiles to include a rapid expansion of its nuclear capabilities,” according to Pentagon assessments, China currently possesses over 600 nuclear warheads and is on track to reach approximately 1,000 operational warheads in the coming years. This dramatic increase represents a fundamental shift in China’s nuclear posture from a minimal deterrence strategy to a more aggressive stance designed to match or exceed U.S. capabilities. The PLARF maintains approximately 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads globally, including to the continental United States.
This nuclear expansion coincides with China’s development of sophisticated early warning systems and command-and-control networks that enhance its ability to detect and respond to potential threats. U.S. military officials have expressed particular concern about China’s emerging “kill webs” – integrated networks of sensors and weapons systems that enable coordinated military responses. These networks combine satellite surveillance, radar systems, and artificial intelligence to identify targets and direct precision strikes, potentially neutralizing key U.S. military assets in the early stages of any conflict.
U.S. Response and Strategic Priorities
In response to China’s growing military capabilities, the Pentagon has identified several strategic priorities to maintain American military dominance. “These include strengthening homeland defense systems, modernizing nuclear deterrence capabilities, and enhancing global power projection abilities,” according to The Defense Department, has requested a $961.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, reflecting the significant investment needed to counter China’s military advancements. This funding would support the development of new missile defense systems, long-range precision weapons, and enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
U.S. military leaders have emphasized the need to enhance America’s own missile capabilities while developing innovative strategies to counter China’s advantages. This includes dispersing forces across multiple smaller bases rather than concentrating them at a few large installations, investing in unmanned systems that can operate in contested environments, and strengthening military alliances throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The Army specifically is working to develop new long-range precision fires and air defense systems that can counter China’s missile threat, while maintaining its ability to support the joint force and regional allies in potential conflict scenarios.
Strategic Implications for Regional Stability
The growing capabilities of China’s Rocket Force have profound implications for regional stability and America’s position in the Asia-Pacific. The missile threat directly impacts U.S. defense planning for Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and other allies who rely on American security guarantees. China’s ability to potentially neutralize U.S. forward bases and naval forces could fundamentally alter the military balance in the region, potentially emboldening Chinese territorial ambitions and undermining American credibility with allies. Military planners must now contend with a reality where China possesses the means to inflict significant damage on U.S. forces before they can fully mobilize in response to regional aggression.
As tensions between the United States and China continue to grow, the missile capabilities of the PLARF represent one of the most concrete manifestations of great power competition. President Trump’s administration faces the challenge of developing effective countermeasures while avoiding an arms race that could lead to greater instability. The strategic confrontation between these two nuclear powers will likely define global security dynamics for decades to come, with the missile capabilities of China’s Rocket Force standing as a central concern for American defense planners and policymakers.
