'Never Seen Anything Like It': Satellite Images Reveal China's Launch Pads Near Nuclear Missile Sites In Xinjiang

China is rapidly expanding a vast military complex in the remote deserts of Xinjiang, a move that defence analysts say is designed to strengthen the country's nuclear deterrence capabilities and ensure the survivability of its strategic weapons in the event of a potential US strike.

Satellite imagery analysed by Reuters shows a vast system of construction taking place, which is indicative of numerous new sites for the launch of nuclear weapons, reinforced storage sites for nuclear missiles, communications facilities and ancillary infrastructure surrounding what are believed to be underground storage sites for China's long-range nuclear arsenal.

Over 80 pads had been placed across the deserts. (Image: Reuters)

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Military fort In The Desert

At the centre of these projects, two octagonal, walled-in military sites located in the eastern region of Xinjiang can be identified from the satellite images, and within the two areas, there is substantial activity which can be viewed from orbit, including military vehicles, accommodation areas and various auxiliary structures.

In the region surrounding these two walled sites, numerous underground launch facilities and weapon storage facilities are evident, along with air strips and railway lines which link the various structures with the missile silo facilities of China. 

Security experts who studied these images noted that more than 80 separate concrete pads for mobile nuclear weapons systems and missile launching devices had been placed across the deserts and that additional sites that are likely used for electronic warfare capabilities and communications facilities are apparent, along with various command and control facilities for air operations and intelligence.

"I've never seen anything like it in my entire life," says Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists. "To build this level of infrastructure in such a remote and difficult environment is extraordinary and astonishing."

New nuclear missile launch, storage sites revealed by satellite. (Image: Reuters)

Highlighting the broader significance of the expansion, Alexander Neill of the Pacific Forum think tank said, "We can see this infrastructure is being built on a grand scale, covering thousands of square kilometres of desert beyond the silo fields.” 

“We're looking at a very considerable enhancement and diversification of China's strategic nuclear deterrent," Neill added. 

Rising Tensions Over Taiwan

The build-up in the military takes place against the backdrop of growing animosity between China and the US over Taiwan.

This month, Chinese President Xi Jinping had warned US President Donald Trump that unless discrepancies over Taiwan are reconciled, bilateral relations would turn on a deadly path.

Satellite view shows one of the two Xinjiang octagon-shaped military facilities. (Image: Reuters)

Though Beijing still adheres to the stated 'no first use' nuclear policy, it is speculated by Western officials that a country with an expanding nuclear arsenal can utilise it as a strategy to ward off foreign intervention in any potential future conflict over Taiwan.

Different Strategy Than Other Nations 

The Chinese approach is unique as opposed to those adopted by Russia and the United States, which possess more than thousands of warheads and traditionally rely on a secure and well-protected missile force as a deterrent.

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It appears that China is heavily investing in its layered protection schemes in and around its missile complexes to offer multiple defence layers and improve nuclear survivability.

Military activity underway at the edge of the Xinjiang octagon-shaped installation. (Image: Reuters)

In a recent report, the Pentagon estimates that China's nuclear weapon inventory is growing at a pace faster than any other nation in the world and is expected to possess over 1000 warheads by 2030.

Experts also bring to the forefront the establishment of Huoyan-1 satellite network by China that allegedly detects a launch of an enemy missile within 90 seconds, thus giving Beijing a short yet critical window to verify a threat.