*ISLAMABAD – * South Asia has the world’s most dangerous nuclear standoff.SPONSORED CONTENT
– [image: Pakistan: Incredible Device to Melt Away Neck Pain]Pakistan: Incredible Device to Melt Away Neck PainNext Tech link
link
“India is estimated to have produced enough military plutonium for 150 to200 nuclear warheads, but has likely produced only 130 to 140,” accordinglink toHans Kristensen and Matt Korda of the Nuclear Information Project at theFederation of American Scientists. “Nonetheless, additional plutonium willbe required to produce warheads for missiles now under development, andIndia is reportedly building several new plutonium production facilities,The National Interest has reported.
In addition, “India continues to modernize its nuclear arsenal, with atleast five new weapon systems now under development to complement orreplace existing nuclear-capable aircraft, land-based delivery systems,and sea-based systems.”
Unlike the missile-centric U.S. and Russian nuclear forces, India stillheavily relies on bombers, perhaps not unexpected for a nation that fieldedits first nuclear-capable ballistic missile in 2003. Kristensen and Kordaestimate India maintains three or four nuclear strike squadrons of ColdWar-vintage, French-made Mirage 2000H and Jaguar IS/IB aircraft targeted atPakistan and China.
“Despite the upgrades, the original nuclear bombers are getting old andIndia is probably searching for a modern fighter-bomber that couldpotentially take over the air-based nuclear strike role in the future,” thereport notes. India is buying thirty-six French Rafale fighters that carrynuclear weapons in French service, and presumably could do for India.NOV111921The Tomb of the Unknowns is dedicated by US President Warren G. Harding atArlington National Cemetery.1911Many cities in the Midwestern United States break their record highs andlows on the same day as a strong cold front rolls through.SponsoredSponsoredSponsoredAdd This To Your Site
India’s nuclear missile force is only fifteen years old, but it already hasfour types of land-based ballistic missiles: the short-range Prithvi-II andAgni-I, the medium-range Agni-II and the intermediate-range Agni-III. “Atleast two other longer-range Agni missiles are under development: theAgni-IV and Agni-V,” says the report. “It remains to be seen how many ofthese missile types India plans to fully develop and keep in its arsenal.Some may serve as technology development programs toward longer-rangemissiles.”
“Although the Indian government has made no statements about the futuresize or composition of its land-based missile force, short-range andredundant missile types could potentially be discontinued, with onlymedium- and long-range missiles deployed in the future to provide a mix ofstrike options against near and distant targets,” the report noted.Report Advertisementlink
India is also developing the Nirbhay ground-launched cruise missile,similar to the U.S. Tomahawk. In addition, there is Dhanush sea-based,short-range ballistic missile, which is fired from two specially-configuredpatrol vessels. The report estimates that India is building three or fournuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, which will be equipped with ashort-range missile, or a bigger missile with a range of 2,000 miles.
It’s an ambitious program. “The government appears to be planning to fielda diverse missile force that will be expensive to maintain and operate,”the report points out.
What remains to be seen is what will be the command and control system tomake sure these missiles are fired when—and only when—they should be. And,of course, since Pakistan and China also have nuclear weapons, Indianleaders may find that more nukes only lead to an arms race thatparadoxically leaves their nation less secure.
By: Micheal Peck