China Will Have Nuclear Subs in 2 Years

New subs could be deployed within 2 years
By Liam Carnahan,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 8, 2012 12:00 PM CST
China Will Have Nuclear Subs in 2 Years
A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) submarine Wakashio surfaces off the water during a fleet review off Sagami Bay, south of Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

China's nuclear arsenal is getting larger—and going deeper. Within two years, the Chinese will have submarines capable of launching nuclear missiles, according to a draft report headed Congress' way. And not only is China the only current nuclear power looking to expand its repertoire, but developing such an elusive underwater nuclear arsenal is likely to increase tension Stateside, reports Reuters.

China's not making any bones about it, with President Hu Jintao saying today that " building strong national defense and powerful armed forces" were key to China's future. The report from the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission also names China as the "most threatening" power in cyberspace, and warns that the nation is "on the cusp of attaining a credible nuclear triad " of weapons that could be deployed from land, sea, and air. (More China stories.)

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