A secret nuclear response facility has been spotted in China
China is building a massive military complex in the desert that could become a key component of its nuclear defense. Analysts believe that Beijing wants to ensure it can respond even in the event of a large-scale U.S. strike, Reuters reports.
Satellite photos have revealed dozens of new facilities: launch pads, bunkers, communications hubs, and mysterious octagonal structures in the middle of the desert. Experts say the scale of the construction already appears unprecedented. According to Reuters, the new infrastructure is appearing in remote areas in northwestern China, near the Hami nuclear test site. That is where China’s long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles are deployed.
Analysts have identified over 80 launch pads that could be used for mobile missile launchers and air defense systems. The images also show bunkers, weapons depots, airfields, railway hubs, and road networks stretching hundreds of kilometers across the desert.
Three large octagonal complexes drew particular attention from experts. Two of them are already in active use. One is located approximately 140 kilometers from the Khami mines, the other 230 kilometers away. Satellite photos show that inside these facilities there are living quarters for military personnel, fortified warehouses, areas for heavy equipment, and armored bunkers. The complexes are surrounded by multiple layers of protection and defense.
According to analysts, these facilities may serve as command centers for nuclear forces and mobile missile launchers. They also likely house electronic warfare and satellite communication systems.
Security expert Alexander Neill stated that the scale of the construction is impressive. “We are seeing infrastructure being built on a massive scale, covering thousands of square kilometers of desert,” he said.
Another interesting point is the activity of military equipment near one of the complexes in April and May. New photos show large tents, camouflaged sites, and positions where anti-aircraft missiles may be deployed.
Analysts suggest that some of the facilities may be used to launch mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles. Others may be used for defense against air attacks or to provide communication between various military systems. Experts also noted the canals and pipelines connecting the sites to one another. There is a theory that fiber-optic cables for secure communications may run underground.
The third octagonal complex, located closer to the Lop Nur test site, appears less complete. According to experts, it could be used as a test site. The photo shows craters from explosions, damaged buildings, and even mock-ups of Western fighter jets.
American expert Hans Kristensen, who has spent many years researching the nuclear forces of various countries, admitted that he has never seen anything on this scale. “I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s truly a remarkable achievement,” he said.
Reuters notes that China’s main goal is to make its nuclear system as resilient as possible. In other words, even if some of the facilities are destroyed, the country will still be able to launch a retaliatory strike.
Against the backdrop of tense relations between China and the U.S., such projects could further intensify the global arms race. Beijing has made almost no official comments on the construction, but the scale of the work is already causing serious concern among military analysts around the world.
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