【By Observer Net, Wang Shipu】According to reports from the Washington Times website and the Stars and Stripes website on October 12, the new Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, General Kenneth F. Wilsbach, revealed that the Pentagon now expects China's nuclear warhead count to reach 1,500 by 2030, reaching the level of the U.S. and Russia. He warned the Senate Armed Services Committee that China's nuclear weapons and missile threats are growing.

General Kenneth F. Wilsbach, the new Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force

DF-31BJ, Xinhua News Agency

At this week's confirmation hearing, members of the Senate Armed Services Committee asked the general about the new assessment of China's future growth in nuclear warheads, and he gave a series of answers.

General Wilsbach said that China has increased its nuclear arsenal from about 300 warheads in 2020 to 600 today, and "is expected to reach 1,500 by 2030." This number would make Beijing's nuclear arsenal comparable to that of the United States and Russia.

Media comments stated that in contrast, the U.S. and Russia each have 1,700 deployed warheads, with 1,500 on intercontinental delivery systems.

The four-star general said that China's "nuclear modernization and expansion will enhance its ability to target our homeland with long-range systems that can reach the United States, which was the main reason for the Trump administration's investment in the Gold Dome."

Since 2021, the U.S. has long claimed that China will have 1,000 nuclear warheads before 2030. Last December, the Pentagon released its annual "China Military Power Report," again criticizing China's legitimate and normal defense construction. The report exaggerated that China plans to complete its military modernization goals by 2035, and also stated that China already has more than 600 operational nuclear warheads, expecting to have 1,000 by 2030.

He said that Beijing is developing a more diversified nuclear force, including systems ranging from low-yield precision strike missiles to intercontinental ballistic missiles with megaton-level yields, providing Chinese leaders with options at various stages of conflict escalation.

General Wilsbach said: "Because the number, types, range, and complexity of missiles produced by the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force are increasing year by year, the threat to U.S. Air Force units and facilities is also increasing."

Aside from China's nuclear weapons, he also discussed North Korea and Russia's nuclear weapons, as well as China's conventional missile threats during the hearing.

After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1985, he entered the flight unit, piloting multiple fighter aircraft such as the F-15 and F-16, with over 6,000 flying hours, including 71 combat missions. He carried out missions in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and later gradually rose to the position of Pacific Air Forces Commander and Air Combat Command Commander.

This June, the 62-year-old Air Force Air Combat Command Commander and four-star general made his last flight in an F-22 stealth fighter before retirement, declaring his farewell to the skies. However, when the Trump administration took office in 2025, this veteran was recalled by the U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin to the front line, rehired as the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.

The reasons why Trump invited Wilsbach to be the Chief of Staff of the Air Force may be related to his long-term deployment in the China direction. As a "China expert" within the U.S. Air Force, this high-ranking officer has repeatedly commanded his troops to "engage" with advanced aircraft of the People's Liberation Army during his tenure.

In March 2022, General Wilsbach disclosed at an online seminar held by the Michel Space and Air Research Institute that the U.S. F-35 and China's J-20 had encountered multiple times in the Western Pacific, not in combat, but the distance was very close. Then he changed the subject, saying, "The KJ-2000 early warning aircraft impressed the U.S. military with its command capabilities. This early warning aircraft plays a key role in China's long-range air-to-air strikes. The next task of the U.S. military is how to break this kill chain."

Regarding the Chinese Air Force, Wilsbach often said that China, as a close competitor, needs to be given "trouble" by the U.S.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning once emphasized that China firmly adheres to a self-defense nuclear strategy, maintaining its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security, and has no intention of engaging in a nuclear arms race with any country. China's nuclear policy is unique among nuclear-armed countries and maintains a high degree of stability, continuity, and predictability. Any country that does not use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against China will not be threatened by China's nuclear weapons.

Mao Ning pointed out that the United States is the country with the largest and most advanced nuclear arsenal in the world, insists on the first use of nuclear weapons, continues to invest heavily in upgrading its "triad" nuclear forces, promotes the forward deployment of strategic forces, and strengthens "extended deterrence" for allies. These policies and actions increase the risks of a nuclear arms race and nuclear conflict, only worsening the global strategic security environment.

Mao Ning said that we urge the U.S. side to abandon Cold War thinking and hegemonic logic, objectively and rationally view China's strategic intentions and defense construction, and stop publishing such irresponsible reports year after year, and take concrete actions to maintain the stability of Sino-U.S. relations and the military relationship between the two countries.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7560224339140903466/

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