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China: Nuclear Weapons

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 13 March 2026UIN 118327

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2026 to question 115862 on China: Nuclear Weapons, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the a) diversification and b) modernisation of its nuclear arsenal.

Answered by Luke Pollard

The UK’s nuclear policy, most recently outlined in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, remains unchanged. China is undertaking a significant programme of nuclear expansion and modernisation. The pace and scale of these developments, coupled with limited transparency about China’s doctrine, capabilities and decision‑making, is concerning. The UK continues to encourage China to engage substantively in strategic risk‑reduction and transparency measures.

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