US ramps nuclear weapons production to Cold War levels as China pursues ‘unprecedented’ buildup

The US is producing nuclear weapons at levels not seen since the Cold War, in response to China's rapid expansion of its nuclear forces, with China's arsenal projected to exceed 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030. The US is undergoing a nuclear modernization effort, with seven major warhead programs underway. This comes as China undertakes an unprecedented expansion of its nuclear forces, raising concerns in Washington about a shifting global balance of power.