The analysis of satellite images proved the expansion of capacities in 60 percent of 136 enterprises connected with the production of military missiles and with the Chinese missile forces. Between 2020 and 2025, their area increased by two million square meters of floor space. These are both the factories themselves and research centers or test centers. New towers, silos and bunkers were built. Parts of rockets were also visible in some shots.
CNN identified 99 sites associated with the production of rockets in the footage and found that 65 of these facilities have expanded with newly built floor space, which, according to experts, could have a significant impact on rising Chinese production.
The television also analyzed 37 bases belonging to the missile force and found that 22 of them have expanded over the past five years.
The images show the speed with which the production capacities for the production of new and more perfect missiles are being developed. Some factories were established quickly on the site of former villages or in fields. There are also a dozen places on the footage that were previously unknown.
Military spending is growing by seven percent a year
At the same time, China is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country – by a hundred warheads a year. It is also building new launchers. As early as December 2024, the Pentagon estimated that the supply of missiles to the Chinese missile force had increased by 50% in the previous four years.
A CNN analysis pointing to the continued expansion of production capacity suggests that Beijing is not stopping in its efforts.
Earlier this year, China approved a 7.2% increase in its defense budget, bringing total spending to around $245 billion. This is the fourth year in a row that military spending has risen by more than seven percent, although many experts say that actual Chinese spending is likely to be much higher than official figures suggest.
“China presents itself as a superpower. We are in the initial phase of a new arms race. China is already sprinting and preparing for a marathon,” said Pacific Forum associate William Alberque, who was previously in charge of arms control at NATO.
Other experts pointed out that these missiles and rockets could become a key factor in a possible attack by the People’s China on Taiwan. Missiles and anti-ship missiles with a flat flight path would, in the event of an invasion, keep the US Navy at a sufficient distance from Taiwan, so that it could not effectively intervene.
The PRC’s efforts to become a dominant force in the Asia-Pacific region are also evidenced by the inclusion of the third aircraft carrier Fujian in the armament of the Chinese Navy.
