China adds 6 ICBMs to Arsenal
By Bill Gertz
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
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China produced six new CSS-4 intercontinental ballistic missiles in the first four months of this year, a one-third increase in its ICBM arsenal largely targeting the United States, according to Pentagon intelligence officials.
Two more such missiles will be built this year before China shuts down -- and relocates -- its sole ICBM production plant as part of a major defense industry restructuring, the officials told The Washington Times.
The CIA reported earlier this year that 13 of China's 18 long-range nuclear missiles were targeted at U.S. cities. At the summit last month, China promised to "de-target" the systems away from the United States, although the change cannot be verified.
The production of eight new ICBMs represents a dramatic increase in the number of long-range missiles in China's arsenal. "This is missile production far beyond anything we have seen from the Chinese in recent years," said one official.
The surge in production at the Wanyuan underground ICBM production plant, located in a remote part of central China, occurred between January and April.
The plant's final two CSS-4 Mod 2 missiles will be delivered in the next several months to the People's Liberation Army nuclear forces, the officials said.
Full story at washtimes.com
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Let's see now: we have Chinese money for campaigns, at least 2000 Chinese AK-47s intercepted at Long Beach, Chinese nuclear proliferation (courtesy of improved US guidance and cryptographic systems), and now half a dozen more Chinese ICBMs (at least two of which will be nuclear) capable of reaching the US.
Tell me again how it's "for the children."
RS
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