After a pause in 1981, China resumed nuclear testing in 1982 with an underground explosion in October. Overall, nuclear forces continued to evolve with 10 ICBM sites reported including 9-20 launchers, and 64 shorter-range surface-to-surface missile (IRBM/MRBM) sites like the previous year. The number of ICBM launchers represented an increase over the previous year, although […]
Tag Archives: Nuclear Strategy Project
1983 CINCPAC China Assessment
China conducted two underground nuclear test explosions during the year, and four new ICBM sites were reported, bringing the total to 14. The number of ICBM launchers, however, remained at 9-20. The number of shorter-range ballistic missile (IRBM/MRBM) launch sites and launchers remained unchanged compared with 1982. On the Korean situation, CINCPAC continued to stress […]
The Strategic Advisory Group (SAG)
The Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) is one of the most important advisory groups to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Strategic Command (CINCSTRAT). In developing the nation’s strategic war plans, CINCSTRAT leans on the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) to provide background and advice on scientific, technical, and policy issues. Although studies performed by the SAG do not formally […]
Matrix of Deterrence Report on CD
New Report and FOIA Documents on CD-ROM Get the Matrix of Deterrence report and six U.S. Strategic Command force structure studies on CD-ROM. How to order: Mail $15 check with clear return address to: The Nautilus Institute 125 University Avenue Berkeley, CA 94710-1616 U.S.A. Orders from overseas locations (fx. Europe and Asia) must add $10 […]
Defense Nuclear Agency: US Nuclear Weapons Policy Toward China 1985-1995
In February 1981, the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) completed a study of US nuclear weapons policy toward China in the period 1985 through 1995. The study, which was completed about eight months before President Reagan signed National Security Defense Document (NSDD)-13 which led to China being removed from SIOP planning, found that the concepts used […]
China in US Nuclear War Planning
China is a secondary adversary in U.S. nuclear planning. The relatively limited size of Chinese nuclear forces means that far fewer U.S. nuclear forces are assigned to strike options against facilities in China compared with Russia. The methodology and principles that guide U.S. nuclear targeting against the two countries, however, are largely the same. China […]
China threat assessments by US Pacific Command
As the primary command responsible for maintaining war plans that involve operations against Chinese forces and territory, U.S. Pacific Command continuously monitors China to update the war plans in response to new developments and guidance. The annual CINCPAC Command History contains brief sections on China which describe developments in Chinese military forces and political issues. […]
Japan and Strategic Nuclear Submarines
The Japanese government may have planted false rumors in 1969 about U.S. intensions to send strategic nuclear submarines to Okinawa, according to this telegram from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. In the telegram, the Embassy speculates that, “it is conceivable GOJ [Government of Japan] is deliberately playing around on this subject for purpose [of] loosening […]
Evolution of China’s Nuclear Capability
James A. Sands: Evolution of China’s Nuclear Capability In the dissertation for the fulfillment of his curriculum requirement to the Air War College at the Air University, Lieutenant Colonel James A. Sands of the U.S. Air Force outlines some of the main events in China’s development of nuclear weapons and nuclear strategy over the years […]
NPR Working Group #5: The 1994 Nuclear Posture Review
NPR Working Group #5: The Relationship Between Alternative Nuclear Postures and Counterproliferation Policy Disclosure of portions of the Bush administration’s Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) has resurfaced the issue of what role the US nuclear posture should have in deterring and, if necessary, defeating, the acquisition and use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD by so-called […]