You can watch Senator King’s questioning HERE, or download broadcast quality video HERE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King, Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, today pressed a top Pentagon official for his evaluation of China’s nuclear posture and the dangers posed by their rapidly expanding arsenal. In a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, King asked Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Admiral John Aquilino how China’s nuclear posture compares to Russia’s ‘escalate to deescalate’ doctrine – and for his assessment of China’s “dramatic” efforts to increase its nuclear capabilities. Senator King has been an outspoken voice on the need to address China’s growing nuclear capacity, and following reports of a potential Chinese hypersonic missile test earlier last year, warned that the “U.S. cannot lag in this development or allow for blind spots as we monitor the progress of our competitors.” 

“We’ve learned a lot in the last week or so about nuclear doctrine in Russia, particularly, the idea of ‘escalate to deescalate.’ What do we know about China’s nuclear doctrine?” asked Senator King. “We know that they’re vastly expanding their nuclear capability. Do we have ideas about what China’s assumptions are about the use of nuclear weapons?”

“I don’t think I’d assume anything,” replied Admiral Aquilino. “I think what I would tell you is what do we see happening in the theatre. And that is an extensive build-up of nuclear capability articulated and intended to be delivered by the PRC. Right, 700 silo-based or warheads by 2027 and over 1,000 by 2030.”

“This is from a base of almost zero,” continued Senator King. “I mean their expansion has been dramatic, has it not?”

“Extremely quickly,” concluded Admiral Aquilino.

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Continuing his questioning, Senator King, Co-Chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, urged Admiral Aquilino to maintain close coordination between INDOPACOM and other regional commands, as China seeks to expand its presence into the Arctic despite having no geographic or political claim in the region.

 “China calls itself a near Arctic nation, and is becoming more and more active in the Arctic. One of my concerns is the extent to which there may be gaps between NORTHCOM, EUCOM, INDOPACOM,” said Senator King. “Given China’s activities in these various areas, reassure me about your integration with your fellow combatant commanders, particularly, NORTHCOM where China is operating in that region.”

“Thanks, Senator. And, as you know, NORTHCOM is actually the lead for the Artic. So, we coordinate persistently with General VanHerck, General Walters. Some of the examples, you know, when the most recent Russian submarine came from the North Fleet over to the Pacific fleet, we monitored and watched that as it crossed combatant commander lines,” replied Admiral Aquilino. “General VanHerck, I support him for the long-range aviation flights or any threats that emit from the north-western portion from either Russia or China as it applies to the homeland defense mission no matter what path they take. So, our cooperation collaboration is persistent.”

As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Strategic Forces – which oversees the United States’ nuclear arsenal and posture – Senator King has worked to enhance the United States’ nuclear security, strengthen our nuclear deterrent, and stop the spread of these devastating weapons around the globe. Last year, he convened a hearing of top nuclear experts to talk through the strengths and weaknesses of U.S.’s current nuclear posture. During the hearing, he pressed witnesses on topics including nuclear modernization, deterrence, and the role of nuclear weapons in protecting America’s allies worldwide. Senator King recently expressed concern about the emerging threats of Russia and China’s development of “nightmare weapon” hypersonic missiles.

As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and co-chair of the U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus, Senator King is an advocate for Maine’s interests in the North Atlantic and Arctic region. King recently laid out the challenges and opportunities of a warming arctic in an article in the Wilson Quarterly, and in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, he successfully secured the inclusion of provisions to increase America’s activity and opportunities in the Far North. Last year, Senator King applauded the U.S. Navy’s recently-released Strategic Blueprint for the Arctic – the publication represents a forward-thinking approach to achieving U.S. priorities in the Arctic, and stresses Maine’s critical strategic importance in the region.