PLA (strategic) news, pics, and videos
- Thread starter dxq4412
- Start date
Today, 5 February 2026, the New START treaty has officially expired.
Nothing will change
Both signatories lacks the capacity to modernize their nuclear arsenals, let alone expanding them.
The sole major power capable of nuclear expansion never participated in the first place.
That's likely because china has expanded its nuclear enterprise that the USA's current 1550 warheads aren't enough to target both china and Russia. By conservative estimates, the newly built 320 silos close to the Mongolian border would require 640 warheads. American planners likely believe that the USA should match combined Russian and Chinese intercontinental war fighting capacity. They want to remain hegemonic and that's likely smart for them. Russia won't be able to engage in any meaningful nuclear buildup due to having smaller economy than Germany and Italy combined. And china has got a long way to catch up to the current American or Russian capacity. The overall situation presents a unique premise for a nuclear arms race. But there won't be cold war style race because it requires too much money no one has at this point; even the USA struggle to pay social benefits. Interesting times ahead...
China's strategy is quite clearly to leverage its "No First Use" policy, dual-use ambiguity and industrial scale to create a sanctuary for conventional very-long-range/intercontinental strikes, which is the real game-changer because it has an edge in the testing and production of these vehicles. Why play a game of symmetric competition where other powers have equal footing?
Also, keep in mind DoD's unclassified assertions about Chinese warhead count is based on questionable assumptions about their
1) new fissile material production and
2) tritium/plutonium availability
As I said in the ICBM thread I expect them to drastically revise that number upwards in the next couple of years, perhaps well over even that number.
DANCERS AT THE KNIFE’S EDGE:
PLA ROCKET FORCE NUCLEAR WARHEAD MANAGEMENT
This document provides an in-depth analysis of China's PLA Rocket Force's nuclear warhead management, storage, transportation, and practices security.
**PLA Rocket Force and Nuclear Capabilities**
- The PLA Rocket Force (PLARF), formerly PLASAF, manages China’s ground-based strategic missiles, including nuclear and conventional types. It has expanded significantly since 2015, with at least 11 new missile brigades, most likely nuclear-capable.
- China has been a nuclear power since 1964, with the PLARF serving as its primary nuclear deterrent, forming the largest and most capable part of its nuclear triad.
**Central Warhead Storage and Management**
- The main stockpile, known as “Hongchuan,” is located deep in the Qinling Mountains near Baoji, Shaanxi, and is managed by Base 67. It includes underground and above-ground facilities with limited external access.
- The storage complex is overseen by the Technical Service Brigade, responsible for secure storage, testing, and transport. It includes specialized units for quality control, environmental monitoring, and emergency response.
**Organization and Functions of Base 67**
- Base 67, established in 1958, manages the PRC’s nuclear stockpile and oversees multiple units for storage, testing, security, and emergency response. It is headquartered in Baoji and employs personnel known as “Guardians of the National Treasure.”
- The base includes support units such as communication, logistics, electronic countermeasures, and specialized security teams, with some units scattered across various provinces.
**Warhead Storage and Testing Facilities**
- Hongchuan is a remote, heavily secured site with underground facilities, emphasizing physical security and environmental controls. It has undergone upgrades to standardize storage and improve safety.
- The Equipment Inspection Institute within Base 67 conducts warhead quality control, testing, and research. It employs highly educated personnel and supports long-term warhead safety and reliability.
**Warhead Transport and Security Operations**
- Warheads are transported via road, rail, or air by specialized units with armed escort. Security measures include dedicated battalions, special operations teams, and electronic countermeasures.
- Facilities employ layered security, including civilian police cooperation, remote outposts, and advanced camouflage and anti-satellite defenses to enhance survivability.
**Support and Emergency Response Capabilities**
- The PLA maintains extensive communication networks, including fiber optic cables and satellite links, to support warhead management and command.
- The Emergency Management Group is tasked with nuclear, biological, and chemical incident response. It is equipped with UAVs, contamination detection vehicles, and robotic systems for decontamination and rescue operations.
**Foreign Equipment Reliance in Nuclear Handling**
- The PLARF nuclear units heavily depend on foreign-made equipment, including high-tech robots and basic PPE, some of which are likely export-controlled.
- Key foreign companies involved are from the USA, Sweden, Germany, and France, providing hazmat suits, masks, robotic demolition robots, radiation sensors, and SAR equipment.
**Support and Logistics Infrastructure**
- The Base 67 Support Regiment manages logistics, repair, and maintenance, with depots for fuel, munitions, and materiel, and can leverage civilian facilities during wartime.
- The Operations Support Regiment provides security, engineering, NBC defense, meteorology, and mapping support for the base.
**Warhead Transport and Storage Methods**
- Warheads are transported via rail, road, and possibly air, with rail transport supported by the specialized regiment around Gansu Province.
- Road transport involves convoy security, camouflage, and rapid repair capabilities, with vehicles trained for chemical and radiological environments.
**
Attachments
-
Screenshot_20260310_055055_Chrome.jpg -
Screenshot_20260310_055035_Chrome.jpg -
Screenshot_20260310_055004_Chrome.jpg -
Screenshot_20260310_054932_Chrome.jpg
FriedRiceNSpice
Major
Woah, was this part of the massive intel leak in around 2023 that led to the sackings within PLARF leadership?
Last edited:
Think this info is extrapolated from old cctv documentaries and careful study of public sources, along with looking at commercial satellite info. A lot of info is outdated and locations can be found by looking at the terrain in video footage.