China Expands Missile Base in Tibet
Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh), October 24 — New satellite imagery has revealed alarming construction activity near Golmud in the so-called Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, further exposing China’s aggressive military expansionism in occupied Tibet. According to Phayul and corroborated by open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts, this new base appears to be part of the growing network of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) — China’s elite missile command — marking yet another escalation in Beijing’s militarisation of the Tibetan Plateau.
Missile Expansion in Occupied Tibet
Satellite evidence analyzed by Phayul shows that the Golmud complex includes multiple launch pads, high-bay shelters likely designed for transporter-erector-launchers (TELs), and a network of support infrastructure capable of hosting long-range ballistic missiles. These features indicate the establishment of a new missile brigade under PLARF Base 64, strategically positioned on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau — an altitude that offers Beijing the perfect vantage point for potential missile launches deep into South Asia and Central Asia.
Experts believe that the site could soon deploy DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missiles, capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads with a reach of up to 4,000 kilometers. This range places India, U.S. bases in the Indo-Pacific, and even parts of Eastern Europe within striking distance — a clear threat to regional peace and stability.
China’s Broader Militarisation Drive
This is not an isolated event. Since 2021, satellite analysts have discovered vast missile silo fields in Gansu and Inner Mongolia, suggesting an accelerated nuclear buildup under President Xi Jinping’s militarisation campaign. According to the U.S. Department of Defense’s 2024 report on China’s military power, Beijing is on track to amass over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030, signaling an unprecedented expansion of its nuclear arsenal.
The Golmud base, located on occupied Tibetan land, symbolizes the weaponisation of Tibet — turning what was once a land of peace and spirituality into a forward military zone. Tibetan exile groups and independent analysts have long warned that China’s military presence in Tibet serves dual purposes: suppressing Tibetans and projecting power across Asia.
A Growing Threat to India and Asia
The Golmud base lies just 900 kilometers from the Indian border, providing China with the ability to rapidly mobilize missile forces in the event of conflict. Defence observers have reported frequent large-scale military exercises in the Golmud region throughout 2024 and 2025, indicating that the missile brigade is nearing full operational readiness.
According to Phayul, the design of the facility—featuring interconnected launch zones—is consistent with road-mobile missile brigades designed for quick deployment and survivability. Military analysts estimate that the Golmud installation could host 24 to 36 missile launchers, comparable to other major PLARF bases in China’s strategic command.
Tibet: The Militarized Frontier
Tibet, often called the “Roof of the World,” has become a launchpad for Beijing’s military ambitions, undermining regional security from the Himalayas to the Indo-Pacific. China’s construction of airbases, missile sites, and surveillance outposts across Tibet has raised serious alarm in New Delhi, Tokyo, and Washington.
“China’s militarisation of the Tibetan Plateau is not just about border defence — it’s about strategic dominance,” said a senior security analyst quoted by Phayul. “From Tibet, Beijing can threaten India’s northern frontier, disrupt regional balance, and intimidate smaller neighbors through the projection of force.”
International Implications
The missile expansion comes amid a period of heightened China-India border tensions, particularly after the Galwan Valley clashes of 2020. It also aligns with China’s assertive posturing in the South China Sea, its coercive tactics toward Taiwan, and its economic infiltration across South Asia through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
By transforming occupied Tibet into a military fortress, China not only violates international norms but also deepens global concerns over its expansionist agenda and disregard for sovereignty.
As noted by Phayul and ANI reports, Beijing’s continued military buildup in Tibet is a direct threat to Asian peace, a violation of the demilitarized spirit of the Himalayas, and a stark reminder of China’s imperial ambitions cloaked in the rhetoric of “national security.”
Conclusion
The expansion of the Golmud missile base is a warning sign — not just for India, but for the entire Indo-Pacific. As Tibet remains under occupation, China continues to exploit its geography for strategic gain, converting a land of peace into a platform of intimidation. The international community must call out this militarisation for what it is: a calculated move to extend Beijing’s reach and suppress freedom across Asia.