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China could smuggle nuclear missiles hidden in shipping containers to Venezuela for surprise attack on US, experts warn
CHINA could smuggle nuclear missiles in shipping containers into ports in South America for a surprise attack on the US, experts have warned.
Military analysts have sounded the alarm over the container capability which is believed to have been quietly developed by Beijing.
It has been suggested China is working on a larger version of the weapon as part of a state-decreed "dual use" deal with its space programme.
The large rockets used to launch satellites could be easily repurposed as compact - container sized - nuclear-capable missiles.
Rick Fisher, senior fellow in Asian military affairs at the International Assessment and Strategy Center, told The Sun Online it is possible China could smuggle these weapons to South America for a sneak attack on the US.
And meanwhile, Captain James Fanell, a former intelligence chief for the US Pacific Fleet, said the the space rocket container launcher is obviously meant for military use.
Sam Armstrong, a China expert from the Henry Jackson Society, said these container missiles can be key in China's smuggling weapons across the world - including to rogue states like Venezuela.
China has hinted at its large scale container missile weapons.
Private firm OneSpace revealed a promotion video for its OS-M2 launch vehicle - a 31 ton rocket for shooting into space.
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It shows the rocket being loaded into containers and hidden from view - before being launched from trucks, trains, planes and ships.
The video appears to be more akin a piece of military technology - such as train-based launchers deployed by Russia and North Korea - than space tech.
And should these weapons be deployed to a China friendly South American country, such as Panama or Venezuela, it could trigger a modern Cuban Missile Crisis.
The defining row of the Cold War in October 1962 saw the Soviet Union attempt to place missiles in Cuba - pushing the world to brink of World War 3.
Mr Fisher told The Sun Online: "It is not inconceivable that a potential future OS-M2-based 'ICBMs' could be hidden in the Chinese-controlled ports of Panama or in ports in China-allied Venezuela in order to target all of the United States.
"Or as the OneSpace video makes clear, their containerized SLV could be deployed on large cargo ships or deployed by Boeing 747 cargo liners to countless favorable launch locations."
China is known to be expanding its influence in South America - boosting trade and investment with nations in the region.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realise this is just another way to approach asymmetric warfare for China
Captain James Fannell
Venezuela is also seen as one of the US's biggest foes in South America and is quietly cozying up to China - receiving at least £45billion loans from Beijing.
And it comes as the Communist Party are also seeking to expand into Africa as it ramps up its global influence.
Even if the objective is not conflict, China could use the hidden weapons as a form of missile diplomacy - such as when Russia has moved weapons to Venezuela.
And they could also be used to stealthily breach arms embargoes - rather than as part of an attack plan.
While tensions remain high between the US and China - there is no suggestion the two are facing an imminent war and that either are mulling a first strike.
Mr Fisher explained Chinese law demands companies make their technologies "dual use" - so its likely the People's Liberation Army is already looking at military versions of the containerised OS-M2.
"Even versions armed with a nuclear warhead instead of a satellite," the expert added.
He described the video by OneSpace as "bizarre" and said it only shows how the Chinese space programme is focusing on military tech.
The expert added these containerised missiles could also be used as anti-space weapons to strike satellites out of the sky from low orbit.
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Captain Fannell told The Sun Online: "When you see rockets being put in containers that go on trains, ships and trucks, you can call it 'dual purpose' but I don't know what its civilian use is.
"Everyone knows where Cape Canaveral is - it's a civilian location. "
He added: "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realise this is just another way to approach asymmetric warfare for China.
"It is more than just 'dual use' - its clearly an asymmetric military threat."
The former intelligence officer described China's container missiles as an "offensive" rather than "defensive" weapon.
And he warned they could be armed with nuclear weapons contained within a shielded container to avoid detection.
Beijing could use the containerised weapons to sow chaos - potentially using electromagnetic pulse warheads to knock out power grids.
China is known to be aggressively developing its military and is squaring up to the US - expanding its reach around the world, such as in Africa.
A mock-up of the missiles first appeared at an arms fair in 2016 and since then there has been speculation since they may now be in service with China’s armed forces.
US officials believe the weapons deployed in the smaller containers are an advanced anti-ship missile called the YJ-18C, which is a version of the Russian Club-K weapon.
The missiles fit into a standard 8 feet wide by 8.5 feet high by 20 feet or 40 feet long standard shipping container.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the missile has speed of up to Mach 3 - three times the speed of sound or 2,300mph.
While not in the league of China’s hypersonic missiles, which can reach speeds of Mach 10, analysts believe they can still pack a punch.
Mr Armstrong told The Sun Online: "Both Venezuela and Cuba are key in this as both are subject to extensive arms embargos.
"So what you have here is a situation where countries cannot import the weapons they desire - but they have the means and will to do so.
"Wherever is means or a will, there is an opportunity for smuggling. Its highly likely containerized weapons will make they way to South America."
The expert however added he doubted they would be used offensively - and would be more for the purpose of camouflage than setting up a strike.
So far the only record of missile being fired from a container ship is a picture of a test carried out by Israel.
"If this capability is confirmed, it will require a completely new screening regime for all PRC flagged commercial ships bound for U.S. ports," Fanell said.
And the it was warned in a study by that the weapons could violate naval laws.
The Stockton Center's study concluded that loading weapons on civilian vessels clandestinely could violate international law.
It wrote: "Failure to comply with the law of armed conflict by surreptitiously incorporating merchant vessels into China’s warfighting/war-sustaining effort endangers civilian seafarers and puts all civilian ships at risk that may be operating in the area of hostilities."
China is perceived as directly challenging the West for status as the world attempts to recover from the pandemic.
Beijing is making moves to establish a foothold in the Atlantic Ocean with a new series of naval bases on the west coast of Africa.
The country's first overseas naval base was built years ago in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa and it is steadily increasing its capacity.
And for some time, many have thought that China was working to establish a naval base in Tanzania, a country on Africa's eastern coast that has a strong, long-standing military relationship with Beijing.
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Meanwhile, China is also seen to have taken the lead in the next stage of the global arms race as it flew a nuke-capable missile around the world.
Hypersonic missiles are a game changer because unlike ballistic missiles, which fly into space before returning on steep trajectories, they zoom in on targets at lower altitudes.
China - followed closely by Russia - were already regarded as having the most potent hypersonic missile arsenals pouring billions into them but others had been seen as catching up.
But the shocking revelations of their missile test back in August has sent shockwaves through Western intelligence who fear they actually underestimated Beijing.
US intelligence and military officials were reportedly left stunned after China launched a rocket in space carrying a hypersonic glide vehicle which circled the globe before before speeding towards its target.
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