7am Trump’s nuclear arms race
Nov 5, 2025
Brendan Taylor, a Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University and contributor to Australian Foreign Affairs, delves into the implications of Trump's directive to resume nuclear testing. He highlights the sophisticated advancements in Russian and Chinese arsenals, including nuclear-powered missiles and hypersonic delivery systems. Taylor discusses potential regional proliferation, especially regarding Japan and South Korea, and warns of the risks of an arms race affecting Australia, examining whether the country might someday consider its own nuclear options.
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New Strategic Weapons Tested
- Russia and China have tested novel nuclear delivery systems like a nuclear-powered cruise missile and underwater drone.
- These tests signal new strategic capabilities that challenge existing missile defenses and raise global concern.
China's Exotic Delivery Systems
- China has tested exotic systems like fractional orbital bombardment and hypersonic glide weapons.
- These systems can evade current US tracking and missile-defence capabilities, altering strategic stability.
Rapid Growth Of China's Arsenal
- China's nuclear arsenal has rapidly expanded from a few hundred warheads to roughly 700 today.
- The Pentagon projects it could reach about 1,000 by 2030 and possibly 1,500 by 2035.