China has reportedly achieved another breakthrough in military technology with the recent successful test of a new type of non-nuclear hydrogen bomb. The weapon produces a fireball exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius, with a burn duration of over two seconds. It is considered a powerful tool for urban warfare and targeted strikes against underground facilities, posing a potential threat to densely built-up cities with numerous subterranean structures.
According to media reports on April 20, the weapon was developed by the No. 705 Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation and was detailed in the Chinese-language journal Missiles and Guidance. The study notes that the primary component of the new bomb is magnesium hydride, and the device weighs only 2 kilograms. Upon activation, a shockwave pulverizes the material into micron-sized particles, releasing hydrogen gas that ignites into a high-temperature fireball. The fireball reaches temperatures above 1,000°C and lasts up to 15 times longer than a comparable amount of TNT, potentially inflicting more severe thermal damage on specific targets.
Researchers stated that the weapon is designed for “large-area thermal strikes and precise target destruction,” with a controllable chain reaction mechanism being the technical core. The bomb shares characteristics with thermobaric weapons, releasing intense heat and sustained shockwaves that are highly lethal against bunkers and indoor targets. In July 2008, the U.S. Air Force’s 711th Special Operations Squadron dropped a 15,000-pound BLU-82 bomb at a training base in Utah. Some studies suggest that the destructive power of this Chinese hydrogen bomb may be comparable to the BLU-82.
The report also notes that similar weapons have been deployed by Russia on the Ukrainian battlefield, including the TOS-1 thermobaric rocket system. Analysts believe that if China launches an assault on Taiwan and the conflict enters an urban warfare phase, such weapons could be used to destroy interior defenses and personnel within buildings, deplete oxygen levels, and cause internal injuries—thus weakening defenders’ morale and endurance.
Regarding potential Chinese strategies for urban warfare, RAND Corporation senior policy analyst Sale Lilly pointed out in his 2022 book Crossing the Strait that China adheres to a “mouse-hunting in a china shop” approach—using brutal suppression while striving to preserve city infrastructure. He noted that cities like Taipei, with vast underground spaces such as parking garages, shopping centers, and metro systems, would greatly expand the battlefield’s vertical and horizontal depth.
On the other hand, some military experts argue that if Taiwan has to defend itself without external support, Taipei’s urban terrain could serve as a formidable fortress. Streets and underground areas provide natural cover, and advancing attackers would likely incur heavy manpower and time costs. Ironically, rubble from bombardments could become new defensive lines.
The revelation of this new non-nuclear hydrogen bomb has once again sparked discussions about the likelihood of urban warfare across the Taiwan Strait. As China rapidly advances its military technology, the future of urban combat and tactical options is expected to become increasingly complex.
