Pakistan Wanted Sea-Based Nuclear Second-Strike Weapon, China Refused: Leaked Diplomatic Cables

Key points

• Pakistan Wanted Sea-Based Nuclear Second-Strike Weapon, China Refused: Leaked Diplomatic Cables Published By, Last Updated: May 18, 2026, 17:30 IST A sea-based nuclear second-strike capability is a country’s ability to launch a retaliatory nuclear attack even after suffering a devastating first strike.
• Rapid Read According to the report, Pakistan sought guarantees from China against potential US political, economic, or diplomatic retaliation over the move.
• (Reuters Image) Pakistan had sought a sea-based nuclear second-strike capability from its all-weather ally, China, in 2024. However, Beijing — despite already supplying Islamabad with weapons and extensive financial support — refused to transfer what is considered one of the most sensitive components of a nuclear deterrence system, according to classified documents released by Drop Site News.
• China reportedly described Pakistan’s request as “unreasonable", warning that providing such a capability would amount to direct Chinese involvement in nuclear proliferation in South Asia.
• The documents further claimed...