China has recently replaced its older generation DF 4 missiles, which needed a two-three hours preparation time before launch, at the Delingha base with the newer solid-fueled DF 21 missiles that can be launched within a few minutes of reaction time.

While the base was built in the 1970’s when Russia was a major military threat to China, experts say that the missiles deployed there are likely to be targeted only against threats from India and Russia. Other traditional rivals, like Japan, Taiwan and US are out of reach from the base.

“The location was chosen back when the Soviet Union was a major concern for China. There is also another DF-21 deployment area in southern China near Kunming from where DF-21 missiles can cover parts of northern India. Yet, unlike Kunming, the Delingha deployment area can cover all of northern India. So, India and Russia are both important targets for the Delingha missiles,” Kristensen said.

The upgradation of the Delingha facility and the new Hainan Island submarine base are just a few indicators of China’s extensive military reforms in recent years.

The latest US Department of Defence report on China says that the country is enhancing its strategic strike capabilities by fielding a new range of missile systems and submarines that “will give China a more survivable nuclear force”.

Besides cutting down its standing army to make it a leaner and meaner force, the country has also embarked on a major drive to upgrade conventional capabilities from a ground based force to an integrated service supported by “ground, naval, aviation, and missile forces”.