An analysis based on satellite imagery identified strong growth in missile production infrastructure at China. Mais of 60% of installations linked to the sector showed signs of expansion. The move reinforces the country’s ability to manufacture projectiles on a large scale.
CNN examined 136 complexes related to missile production or Força of Foguetes of Exército of Libertação Popular. Destes, 65 factories, research centers and testing areas expanded the built area by more than 2 million square meters between the beginning of 2020 and the end of 2025.
Novas towers, bunkers and containment structures appeared in the images. At some points, it is possible to identify missile components. The pace of works accelerated especially after 2022.
Imagens from satellite exposes scale of works
The data comes from a cross-reference between aerial photos, public maps and official communications. CNN located facilities of two major Chinese state-owned defense companies and their subsidiaries. Local Muitos replaced villages and agricultural areas with industrial warehouses.
- 99 facilities directly linked to missile manufacturing
- 65 of them with confirmed expansion of built area
- 37 bases of Força of Foguetes, 22 of which are expanded
- Crescimento total over 2 million square meters
Especialistas observe that the space gain can multiply the productive capacity of certain types of projectiles. The effort covers conventional and nuclear missiles.
Xi Jinping has prioritized rocket power since 2012
The Chinese leader has allocated billions of dollars to modernizing the Forças Armadas since taking power. Força of Foguetes received special attention. Autoridades describe the branch as a core of strategic deterrence.
Exército of Libertação Popular has more than 2 million active military personnel. Missile installations supply virtually all branches. Analistas link the movement to regional strategy, focusing on possible scenarios involving Taiwan.
Expansão coincides with voltages on Leste Asiático
Estados Unidos’s president, Donald Trump, visited the region recently. Encontros with Xi Jinping dealt with commerce, but also security issues. Trump directed Pentágono to resume nuclear testing on par with China and Rússia.
Pequim has been increasing its nuclear arsenal by about 100 warheads per year since 2023. The total still lags behind American and Russian stockpiles. At the same time, China invested in anti-ship missiles and long-range systems.
Lições’s war on Ucrânia influence Chinese plans
Observadores indicate that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict served as a laboratory. The China follows the combined use of cheap drones and more powerful missiles to saturate air defenses.
Estimativas previous reports on the number of projectiles needed in an eventual conflict rose after 2022. The objective would be to create an access denial bubble to limit external intervention in Taiwan.
Decker Eveleth, an analyst at CNA, explains that the strategy involves attacking ports, bases and supply lines. The focus is to prevent logistical support from the sea.
Chinese defense Orçamento continues to rise
In early 2025, Pequim approved a 7.2% increase in official military spending, reaching about $245 billion. It is the fourth consecutive year of growth above 7%. Especialistas estimate the real value to be higher.
Enquanto this, the Estados Unidos face ammunition supply challenges in support of Ucrânia and Israel. Pentágono has seen a 50% increase in China’s missile inventory in previous years, according to a December 2024 report.
Internal Corrupção raises doubts about real capacity
An anti-corruption campaign targeted senior Força officials from Foguetes, including former Defesa ministers. American Autoridades see a risk to the operational reliability of troops.
Apesar In addition, the physical expansion of the facilities continues. William Alberque, from Pacific Forum, classifies the moment as the initial phases of a new arms race. Ele claims that China already runs at full speed.
CNN requested a position from Ministério of Chinese Defesa on the findings. Não there was an immediate response until publication.
