With this new missile, China could join the ranks of the world's most dangerous nuclear arsenals

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An airman of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) operates an aircraft during a drill on the second flight training day of the New Year at Liaodong Peninsula on January 3, 2019 in Liaoning Province of China.

• China appears to be close to completing a so-called "triad" of nuclear forces that can launch nukes from land, air, and sea. A developmental air-launched ballistic missile could complete the triangle.
• A true nuclear triad is about more than just the possessing the platforms and weapons, though.
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The Chinese military is moving toward fielding a nuclear triad, the Pentagon warns in a new report.

China appears to be close to completing its triad, meaning it will have the ability to launch nukes from land, air, and sea. A developmental air-launched ballistic missile could complete the triangle, the Department of Defense reports.

A true nuclear triad is about more than just the possessing the platforms and weapons, though.

"To have a true triad involves doctrine, it involves training, a lot of things," Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver explained. But, he added, the Chinese military is "heading in that direction, toward having capable delivery systems in those three domains."

Here's what a complete Chinese "nuclear triad" might look like.