China outpaces US in missile production after massive factory expansion — CNN
Photo: Chinese leader Xi Jinping (Getty Images)
China has rapidly increased its production of missile weapons over the past five years. Satellites have recorded a large-scale expansion of missile factories, CNN reports.
China is actively expanding its defense and industrial capabilities, particularly in the field of missile production.
According to a new CNN analysis based on satellite imagery, maps, and government documents, the country has significantly expanded dozens of missile-related facilities since 2020.
Large-scale growth
Over 60% of the 136 known facilities related to China's missile forces showed signs of active construction or modernization.
These include factories, research and testing centers, which have collectively increased their area by more than 2 million square meters between 2020 and 2025.
The images show new towers, bunkers, and embankments, and in some cases even parts of missiles.
"This is China positioning itself as a global superpower. We’re in the initial phases of a new arms race," says former NATO arms control director William Alberque.
CNN investigated 99 missile-related facilities in China and found that 65 of them had expanded through construction. Expansion has also been recorded at 22 of 37 Chinese military bases over the past five years.
Photo: Satellite images (CNN)
For example, one of the factories in Beijing, which has expanded by almost 50% since 2020, produces the well-known DF-26 (Dongfeng) medium-range ballistic missile, which defense experts call the Guam killer.
This missile is capable of changing its trajectory during flight, making it difficult to intercept, and can reach the US Andersen Air Force Base on the island of Guam.
Photo: Satellite images (CNN)
Growth in nuclear capabilities
Journalists note that China is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country, adding approximately 100 new warheads annually since 2023.
However, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China's total number of nuclear warheads still lags far behind the US and Russia, which together account for 90% of the world's arsenal.
CNN analysis shows that missile production in China has increased sharply, particularly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Satellite images show that the pace of expansion of facilities has doubled between 2022 and 2023.
Threat to Taiwan
Arms experts note that the build-up of missile capabilities could play a decisive role in the event of China's attempt to seize Taiwan by force. Beijing's modern missile systems are intended to deter the US from possible intervention in the conflict in the region.
On September 3, Beijing held a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the war with Japan and World War II. The event showcased the latest equipment and weapons of the Chinese army.
