Republican Armed Services Leaders Comment on China’s Rapidly Expanding Nuclear Deterrent

Washington, DC, February 7, 2023
U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, and U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Deb Fischer (R-NE), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, today commented on news that China has surpassed the United States in the number of land-based fixed and mobile ICBM launchers. The FY22 NDAA requires U.S. Strategic Command to notify Congress when the number of ICBMs, nuclear warheads, or ICBM launchers in China surpasses the United States.
"The head of U.S. Strategic Command has informed us that China has surpassed the U.S. in the number of ICBM launchers – this should serve as a wake-up call for the United States. It is not an understatement to say that the Chinese nuclear modernization program is advancing faster than most believed possible. We have no time to waste in adjusting our nuclear force posture to deter both Russia and China. This will have to mean higher numbers and new capabilities."