Nuclear Missile Forces - USA vs China vs Russia
Aby June 15th, 2007
In the nuclear age, a nation’s military superiority and immunity from military attacks by opponents is judged by its nuclear capability. This is the reason why there is such a mad rush by defence forces around the world to nuclearise their armed forces. But a nuclear defence system is of little use if the nuclear countries do not possess adequate delivery systems for the nuclear bombs. Bombers can be intercepted and destroyed, even stealth fighters can be intercepted as was shown in the Kosovo conflict. This leaves the country’s nuclear bomb delivery system in the strength of its long range ballistic missile systems. In the present world - United States of America, Russia and China maintain this superiority over missile offence and defence systems. What makes ballistic missiles so powerful and which country possesses the most powerful ballistic missiles?
An American Trident 2 SLBM launched from an Ohio submarine (Click video to play)
Why are ballistic missiles so deadly?
Ballistic missile systems have a short flight duration and and a precise course which cannot be altered after the missile had spent its fuel and turned ballistic. Defences against ballistic missiles are yet to be foolproof. It is much less so against long-range and high-speed ones like ICBMs (Inter Continental Ballistic Missile) and SLBMs (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile). Moscow remains the only city in the world with a credible ABM (Anti Ballistic Missile) defence system. Ballistic missiles coupled with MIRVs (see below) are the deadliest among nuclear weapon delivery systems. The longest range ballistic missiles are made by China, USA and Russia. This limits our focus on these three countries and their most powerful ballistic missile systems in regard to nuclear capabilities.
What is so bad about MIRVs?
MIRV (Multiple Independent targetable Reentry Vehicle) is a collection of many nuclear warheads carried on a single missile with the ability to independently strike each targets over a broad area. This reduces the number of missiles needed to hit many targets, increases the area of destruction and reduces the effectiveness of ABM defence systems all of which make a MIRV attack deadly.
People’s Republic of China - China’s ICBM system is mainly based on the Donfeng project which comprises are DF series of ballistic missiles. DF 5 which is capable of hitting targets up to 13000 kms away has the longest range among the series. It was inducted into service in 1981 and is still active as DF - 5 Module 2. According to reports, DF 5 can be launched with an MIRV payload of up to three nuclear warheads. China is also carrying out testing and development on Julang series of SLBM missiles, the latest being JL 2 which is capable of being launched from a submarine and hitting targets 8,000 kms away. Unconfirmed reports also suggest that JL 2 missile can be loaded with as many as 6 warheads. Due the the secrecy which shrouds China’s defence system it is difficult to get the exact specifications and capabilities of China’s missile or nuclear forces and available reports rely mostly on observed tests using satellite reconnaissance data. It is estimated that China has deployed over 90 single warhead nuclear missiles, at least 20 of them targeted on the US as per 2006 records.
Russian Federation - Russian missile systems are a legacy of the missile and space technology supremacy of former USSR. The fourth generation ICBM, RT-2UTTH Topol M is capable of striking a destination 10,000-10,500 km away with 10 MIRVed nuclear warheads (~ 3.6 tons total weight). However its warhead is limited to one, in compliance to the START II treaty. The Topol M has the distinction of being the fastest missile in the world at an average speed of Mach 11+ (11 x Speed of sound). The RS 24 ICBM, which was recently tested on May 2007 is an MIRV variant of the Topol-M and is reported that it can be equipped with maneouverable warhead Igla which can change course during re-entry to overcome missile defences. The high re-entry speed of Topol M based missiles and the multiple MIRV warheads with decoys make them the deadliest strategic nuclear missiles till date. In the area of submarine nuclear forces, the liquid propelled RSM 54 Skiff, deployed in 1986 is Russia’s longest range and most accurate of SLBMs with a range of 8300+ km. The RSM 54 can carry four to ten MIRVed warheads of 0.3 - 0.55 megatons each, launched from the Delta class ballistic missile submarines. Russian submarines are unique in their kind for using inverted MIRVed warheads. As of 2006, Russia is estimated to have over 750 nuclear ICBMs and SLBMs deployed with about 2600 warheads.
United States of America - The retirement of Peacekeeper made the LGM-30 ‘Minuteman’ III the only land based ICBM of the United States at present, with a range of 10,000 km plus. The Minuteman series is the first American ICBM to be MIRVed and has a capability to carry 3-6 nuclear warheads of 0.2 megaton yields each. Currently, Minuteman can be launched from a fixed Silo (ICBM launch system) and programs are under way to start mobile ICBM launch vehicles like those of Russia. The Trident II is the active and operational US’ strategic SLBM which was deployed in 1990 and has a range of more than 7,360 km. It can carry up to eight MIRVed warheads of 100 kilotons each and is launched from Ohio class SSBN submarines. The Trident II D5 is known to be the most accurate long range missile at present, with a CEP of 90m. Both Minuteman III and Trident II have very high re-entry speeds in the order of 25000 km/h. Due to their high accuracy, the US long range nuclear missiles like Trident II have both first and second strike capabilities. The vulnerability of US ICBM silos to a Soviet first strike shifted the US nuclear missile force in favour of safer SLBMs. The Ohio submarines with Trident SLBMs are deployed in the Pacific region and patrol the seas about 20 times a year, the most active among global submarine based nuclear forces. By mid-2006 the United States has an arsenal of 836 nuclear missiles, actively operational with about 2500 warheads mounted on them.
The Verdict
There is no clear cut winner although Russia and USA lead the pack in nuclear missile capable countries. The US SLBMs can carry the largest number of MIRVed warheads which can increase its attack radius while Russian ICBMs can carry more warheads and have more sophisticated mobile launch capabilities. US ICBMs and SLBMs possess somewhat greater accuracy than Russian ones but the need for accuracy for targets in nuclear strikes is limited (as shown by China’s nuclear tests). The Russian RSM 56 Bulava SLBM is on way to be deployed in 2008 and could be the fastest and most effective SLBM if the current pace of development continues. Russia at present leads on the speed, maneuverability and penetration among ballistic missiles with its Topol-M rocket based ICBMs mentioned above. Russia has a slight advantage in missile attack capabilities than US which is not surprising considering Russia’s many firsts in rocket science and technology (first satellite, first man in space, first ICBM, etc.). Missiles are nothing but modified rockets with weapons as warheads instead of satellites as payloads.
More Information and Resources -
- The Military Balance 2007 - International Institute for Strategic Studies
- World Special Weapons Guide - Global Security
- Technology , Military
- Comments(32)
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Any of Russian or Chinese missiles capable of hitting USA?
Yes, all the missiles mentioned above are capable of hitting USA as any ICBM with above 10000 km range covers USA in its hit radius either by using SILOs or mobile launchers. In case of SLBMs it is easier because submarines can be stationed anywhere in Pacific or Atlantic and used to target US targets. The same applies in reverse, any part of China or Russia is targetable by US ICBMs and SLBMs.
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[…] is currently in development and slated for deployment in the Russian Navy in 2008. The Bulava is an MIRV tipped SLBM which can carry 4 - 10 independently targetable nuclear warheads of at least 100 […]
? why when the USA vs anybody eles it is not one country vs another is is america vs europe or china and russia. Personaly it is not fair to look at it like that.
USA, China and Russia are compared on an equal footing on their nuclear missile forces. These are the three countries which have capable and credible missile offence/defence systems which can strike any part of the globe so a comparison is just. If you have any other country which stand a chance against these three please name it with resources for more information. Thank you in advance.
Does it matter if we have 10 missiles or 10,000 ?
We have the firepower to reduce most, if not all, of the earths civilizations to ashes in a matter of hours. But I still dont feel safe, Lets build MORE MISSILES.
“we are living in america, america
“we are living in america, america
Cocacola Santaclaus”
America has the power, the weapons, the comunnications systems,..imperialism.
but there comes china… warning
No country can survive a nuclear war. The nuclear war will mean one thing, mutual destruction of both sides. The shield in eastern Europe is more of a sign from the Americans, that we dont care what russia thinks, we will do as we please. This arrogance will be America’s downfall! Where as if China will be the next super power, i dont think so. No country so depended on mineral resources like china (china has limited oil reserves of its own) can be a superpower, Where as Russia has the technology, the resources to reclaim its status of super power. America has the power true, but study the economic predictions. America is a great nation, rich both with resources both human and natural. But they must understand thay cant subjugate all the world to their will. America could have been turned into a paradise if all the funds spent on foreign policy agenda were to go the people. A question to any American citizen, do you support Mr. Bush’s foreign policy? if yes please write why?
I’m not responding on this site any longer because it’s a waste of my time, you’ve already got your minions to follow in your swiss BS. Lackeys, take note and keep following the swiss pacifist, while his government and his banks who hides all “evil money” in the world laughs all the way to the bank. Just ask the Jews whose money they stole.
To Only The Facts -
I would rather listen to an unbiased Swiss than an ignorant fool like you. If you have anything sense to say welcome but not all these ignorantly arrogance rubbish you spit.
@ Only The Facts - I demand proof that the Swiss stole Jews’ money. ‘Evil’ is a relative moralist catchword - for an Islamist, anything un-Islamic is evil; for an American anything un-American is evil; in the same wayfor a Nazi Jews themselves are evil and lesser human. There is no absolute evil and using such terms in a factual analysis is hardly a logical thing to do.
Only the Facts- your name is hypocritical. as a Canadian, i speak for 3/4 of the people I know. We hate america. You F&&& up our international relationships with other countries. Maybe the islamist extremists are on to something. Spend some money on society instead of on weapons and maybe all your minority groups will soeday like calling America home. Until then, look north for the best beer and the “free” life.
Personally,
Please, Canadian fanboy, don’t act like you hate America.
In a time of Nuclear War, is Canada going to go ahead and side with China/Russia?
I don’t think so, buddy, they know it’s in their best interests to stand beside the USA.
Canada, has to look to the USA for help. They don’t have much of an Army. All nations that can’t stand the USA, when bombs come raining down on them, who will they look to, to help them ? Easy, USA. We need more new weapons. If you were in the Old West, and was call out for a gun fight, and you had a 22,and the other guy had a 44, who has the better chance to kill you. True they both will kill, but the 44 will do more damage. Same with better weapons. I don’t care if you are on the left or right. This is a True Fact. Of course some will always say, it’s not so.
Proximities play a role. I’m Canadian studying in the U.S., and there is no doubt that Canada would side with the United States even when we obviously hate her. I know I speak for a lot of of my friends when I make this claim (see above). It’s like saying, “in a U.S. military conflict with Russia, Japan would side with the United States.” While I’ll grant that the U.S. and Japan are strong allies, it would be foolhardy to alienate a neighbor as strong as Russia to go to the United States that would care little if her interests ceased to exist in Japan. Proximities play a much-too-important role to ignore.
This is what Canadian and European hypocrites love to do. Hate the US, malign the US and yet look up to the US for Military protection. Europeans will pee in their pants if Russia even bluffed about attacking them. Only and only US is the reason Russia is keeping out of Europe. I wish US didn’t help Europe in WW2; had it been so, there would be nothing but Germany. Canada..oh come on… give me a break. You guys work for US. You should thank god everyday to be situated right next to the US otherwise with half of your country covered under snow you’ll had starved to death. I am an Indian and am not biased towards the US, but come on guys think with your head, US must get the credit it deserves the same way it gets all the bad mouthing.
You got your facts wrong Mr. Asif but so much I can expect from an American national or a resident American. Perhaps you haven’t realised yet that European countries have their own independant military forces that are much more capable for defence of Europe than anyone else. I admire your support for the country you reside in and I understand that compared to your country of origin US looks like paradise, however I doubt you would be helping Americans by making historically and factually inaccurate remarks. Unless of course, you want to be party to propaganda and rumours.
I am sorry, but it seems an Americanism already infected you. First Russia at present has no intention to fight a war with Europe, as it is determintal to its economic interests. War is not a game of football that one uses to show muscle power, although I’d understand that a lot of Americans in non-military sectors seem to think it is. As for World War 2, I pointed above that without US support and funds, the Nazi power would have never been what they are or built a war machinery to fight a massive war.
By claiming Europe would have been Germany, you made another errorenous claim that the ignorant among Americans often tend to make. The United States never fought the World War 2 in European threater until the defeat of Germany. If Russian victory in Stalingrad and subsequent takeover of Germany didn’t occur, the United States and United Kingdom would have made a truce with Hitler as was planned. Hence Europe did not become Germany because of Russia, not United States. The US policy would have created a Nazi Europe which would have been far worse on humanity than the prospect of a communist Europe.
I’d wait for a Canadian to respond to this as seeing that you have made several inaccurate claims, there is a possibility you missed, overlooked or exaggerated something in favour of United States.
If the flag in your comment says anything about it, I’d think you are an Indian immigrant to the United States; not an unbiased Indian resident. As an Indian who migrated to the United States, it would be naive to say that you are not biased towards the United States. How on earth did you end up moving to the United States otherwise? I had visited India several times and to put it plainly, Indians if given a choice between living in their own country and moving to US, they’d choose the latter. It is understandable, considering there are few opportunities for personal achievements in third world country India, compared to first world United States which seems like a paradise for Indians. Indians see US as ‘THE destination’ and their understanding of world is dominated by India, United States, Pakistan and post-colonial United Kingdom. Their understanding of Europe is in black and white. You could pick out random 100 university educated Indians in Delhi or Bombay and ask them who the President of France is or what the currency of Russia is. Chances are 95 out of 100 Indians won’t be able to give the correct answer to either of these questions. Ask them the same questions about US and almost all of them would be able to give correct answer to both questions. Hence when you, as an Indian immigrant to US claim that you are not biased towards America, it sounds as good as a fairytale. As we have seen above, you made judgements and comments on European affairs that you had a little idea about. I’d call it rash and moving to United States does not give you an authority to make inaccurate and opinionated claims on the rest of the world - least of all Europe. Whatever you see in United States that makes America a ‘western wonder’ for you originated from Europe - the form of government, the spoken language the quality of life, the infrastructure or the technological wonders.
China might be the world most powerful country in 2020 according to the CIA. The are making secret nuclear weapons each day with out reporting it to the world not like the USA and Russia they report how much stockpile of nuclear weapon they have. So USA and Russia keep it a secret better pile up OR elese ???
Cox Report said that Guanbu has stolen Trident II technologies to conceive DF-31 ICBM. But thid ICBM is not deployed yet, maybe in 2009-2010.
Very good lucture from Aby and asif. Aby i true Asif should have sense on his words. The recent Russia Georgian conflicts are polarising the world and for me its realy really thrilling. At last someone is standing against US. Lets C,
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Aby.
Very intressting post.
Aby I think that you think you know more than you do. Had the US not supported Great Britain and France in WW2 undoubtedly they would have fallen to Germany and Germany would then have had a much better chance of defeating Russia on the Eastern front. Yes the US came into the Europen theater toward the end of the war but it was decisive and it was the reason the war ended. Obviously you resent the USA. An though the US is far from perfect I hope you would be honest enough to acknowledge the immense contribution in materiel and lives the US made to end WW 2. If you don’t agree with me then you should really review your history as your understanding seems to be quite flawed. I am also amazed that you obviously think that without the intervention of the US in the current geopolitical scenario and the US alliance with NATO and others Western Europe would be better off. In addition you may want to recall who the major contributor was in the rebuilding of Europe after WW2.
Frank, obviously you don´t want to remember that Russia sacrifices much more lives than the US, in fact more than anyone, in WWII. Without Russia, America´s intervention would have been terribly difficult.
You also conveniently forgot that America enters the war ONLY after Pearl Harbour. Where`s the merit on that? In the list of things you faithfully forgive, you can add that rebuilding Europe was part of a plan to USE it against the USSR, and not for free precisely.
Maybe you need to abandon your high school history books and start reading REAL global strategy before trying to give Europe some kind of “lecture”.
To all the typical American patriots, blidned by the American arrogance of thinking that America is the all mighty hero of the world - America didn’t contribute to the rebuilding of Europe after WW2 out of a kind act of generosity, and they certainly arn’t fighting in the Middle East out of their kindness.
Hayath you need to get out more if the build up of international tension and our impending doom thrills you. That’s just plain scary, however I understand your point that someone is finally standing up against the US. I just want to know what the world would be like if we all just got along, and didn’t spend trillons of dollars on our self destruction. The whole world could be turned into a paradise and all life on this planet would have a much better chance of making it through to the next century.
@ Frank - The United States DID NOT enter the European theatre during World War 2 till victory became inevitable, after the Russians crushed or captured 4/5th of the Nazi troops. With its strength reduced to 1/5th, there was absolutely no chance of German forces being able to fight on a decisive scale anymore. By the time the US military landed in France, the offensive against Nazis was almost over on the European side. The only ‘decisive’ act of the US military was perhaps supplying millions of condoms, so that their soldiers didn’t impregnate any of the 900,000 Austrian, Italian and German women they raped with impunity. Judging from the fact that most of these innocent victims were aged between 8 and 18, we can safely include that their intentions were anything but honourable.
If Europe could have survived over 5000 years of civilisations with the US never being in the picture, I am sure that it would have done so without US ‘help’ as well. The only purpose of NATO was to ‘contain’ Soviet influence, which was more in US interests than European interest. And yes, US did rebuilt Europe as per the Marshall Plan, but not in charity. All the money were paid for, upto the last dollar, adjusted for inflation. The US needed Europe for its $17 trillion market economy more than Europe needed US. It cost both France and UK their empires to pay back the crippling loan to the US, interests included. Don’t pretend that the Europeans still owe something to your glutton of a country.
Before questioning someone’s history when it is apparent that they are far more aware about than you are, please heed that suggestion yourself. Jingoism and ad hominem attacks are never good enough to compensate for being an unschooled redneck. Anyway, it is pretty pathetic of Americans to desperately keep on bragging about their “successes” in World War 2, a claim that is not only ignorant but irrelevant to this topic as well.
Frank, heard of Stalingrad? Its in the non-American history section and its where the Nazis were really defeated. By Russian soldiers. Ask a German survivor of the Kursk salient about that. Get your head out of America and smell the rest (majority) of the world.
Two nations in the world I look down upon:
First, United States.
Second, India.
The first one is hypocrite, messing around with arrogance,ignorance and strong nationalism.
The second one is good-for-nothing, having pipe dream everyday and extremely fond of boasting the national strength.
Sorry for them. The rest countries are all good.
@ WORLD PESPECTIVE
Please change your opinion about India. India’s achievements are not mere dreams but reality. We have fought 4 wars with Pakistan and have won all of them. India also liberated Bangladesh from Pakistan after the war during 1971. Each Nation has the right to talk about its achievements and we are proud to talk about our’s. The Americans came to know about terrorism only during the year 2001 but India is fighting terrorism (apart from the wars fought) for the past 25 years and had to spend huge amounts for that purpose. In China the problem of terrorism is much much less when compared with India. We can only hope that in future China will not help Pakistan/Bangladesh terrorists who are acting against India (as they had done in the past). No other country in this world would have survived if it had to face such problems like India had and would have even gone into pieces. Inspite of all this we are developing, and what you mean by rest countries are all good? Every Nation/People in this world are good but the political system is down in some countries. So don’t blame the Nations.
US-Russia nuclear conflict?..interesting but funny. Funny cos i see it rather fetched. These two countries have always (in spite of their public rhetorics and bluffing) respected and feared each other, each being aware that another hitler in our time means self anihilaton (This was clearly seen in the cuban crises of the late 60s). Its just pityful for the nations that fall in between ultimately /hopelessly biased towards one side. These countries At one time or the other during the past 50 years have achieved undoubted supremacy in military capability over the other. Most people will agree with me that during the soviet era, the US could never dream of the foreign policy which she (the present white house executives) now operate..Most think of this as the result of american “wishfull thinking” that the russians would neve be able to get back on their feet, well as we can see it was only an illusion..no wonder the US is trying as much as possible to infect Europe with this hopeless dream. (which is clearly seen with some of its policies: double standards in the kosovo/serbia question and the Geogia/Abhazia situation, expansion of NATO-as i strongly believe Europe without US intervention would not break the non-expansion agreement with Russia afte the Soviet fall). Just a pity that countries like ukraine and Geogia are being ruled by such short-sighted individuals who rather hope for salvation from a soon-coming-to-an-end imperialism thousands of miles away, than making mends with not only a benefactor nation at your door step (gas wise), but a culturally/ethnically related people. With the rate with which the russians are beginning to realize that your house is your stronghold, Europe might find herself in an awkward position if she dosent reconstruct her relationship with Russia-as we all know the intervention of the US in Europe after WW2, was to not only ensure non communist prolifiration but to ensure the strengthening of her imperialistic policies, of which they knew only the Russians threatened. Proximity should be one of the key determinants of foreign policy/relations, the earlier we all realize this the better. US should be a little restrained in their relations with Russia n China, becos even if we would like to believe that the US could defeat Russia in conflict (which is highly impossible) we (Americans) should not forget, Russia and China have a mutual defence pact wedging war with one means fighting both.
Seriously, Why can’t we all just get along?