ISLAMABAD – There was a time in human history when nuclear technology wasthe “it” technology; no one could imagine anything beyond it. Thedestruction and wrath it brought was not only terrifying but mesmerizing.

It was fascinating for ordinary people, leaders, scientists and states thatthe smallest particle of matter upon breaking can release energy whichcould burn down a whole city in seconds. Thus, invention of nuclear weaponschanged the way of thinking of nations, states and leaders. Mastering thefission of radioactive atom to enable it to release energy is not a child’splay; states invest billions in currency to make nuclear weapons.

At the operational level, a nuclear weapon requires delivery systems. Inthis regard, strategic bombers, ships, submarines and missiles are commonlyused delivery vehicles by the states. But, one of the most significant andreliable delivery systems is missiles. With missiles, states can launchnuclear pay load from their own territory or from any other place withoutrisking its human resource, in case of sending bombers.

Missile technology all around the world is growing by leaps and bounds.After nuclearisation, both Indian and Pakistan pursued missile technologiesincluding ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, ballistic missile defences,multiple independently re-entry targetable vehicles and inter-continentalballistic missiles as well. States invest in nuclear weapons because ithelps them achieve deterrence which stops states from using nuclear optiondue to fear of unacceptable damage to one’s vital interests. However, toendorse credibility of nuclear weapons, states invest in militarymodernization.

The main objective behind nuclearisation of Pakistan was to createdeterrence against India but without indulging into arms race. Thus, policyof minimum credible deterrence was developed by Pakistan. Later on, afterIndia’s attempt to exploit the levels beneath nuclear threshold, Pakistanresorted to the policy of full spectrum deterrence without going for armsrace.

So, to create credible but minimum deterrence at the start of year 2017,Pakistan tested multiple independently reentry targetable vehicle (MIRV),which can deliver multiple nuclear warheads in one go. Development of MIRVby Pakistan is neither consequence of ambitious national objectives nor isit meant to initiate an arms race in the region. But, it is to make nucleardeterrence viable against India’s BMDs which can intercept incomingballistic missiles through interceptors and destruct them in the air.

Pakistan, due to its economic restraints could not go for BMD in responseto India; as it is an expensive technology that has yet to achieve 100%success rate. So, considering its options, MIRVs came out as the mostrational choice. However, MIRVs are one of the most complex technologies inwhich missile can carry more than one warhead in a single launch and withthe capability to hit multiple individual targets.

They require technological sophistication in not only sending so manyvehicles in one launch but also in yield and most importantly in accuracy.With enough yield and accuracy MIRVs provide states the capability to gofor pre-emptive strikes. Thus, MIRV have the capability to overwhelm theBMD system and resultantly eliminate the false sense of security underwhich India could go for first strike.

To increase the accuracy of MIRV missiles, Pakistan bought highlysophisticated, large scale optical tracking and measurement system fromChina. According to national news agency, Pakistan has deployed thissophisticated technology in battlefield. Before Chinese system, Pakistanwas utilizing indigenous systems. Nonetheless, it will help Pakistan recordhigh-resolution images of a missile’s departure from its launcher, stageseparation, tail flame and, after the missile re-enters atmosphere, thetrajectory of the warheads it releases.

These functions will be possible because the system bought by Pakistancomes with a pair of high-performance telescopes equipped with a laserranger, high-speed camera, infrared detector and a centralised computersystem that automatically captures and follows moving targets. However,what makes this system unique is its ability to detect missile up to rangeof several hundred kilometers through the help of its telescopes.

The timing of these telescopes are precisely synchronized with the atomicclock. Thus, now Pakistan can track different warheads going in differentdirections simultaneously.

Moreover, through visual imagery, the missile developers can improve theaccuracy and design of missile in much better way. So, with thistechnological uplift, Pakistan will soon add Ababeel (MIRV) into itsoperational missile inventory.

But, these actions by Pakistan are not to give rise to arms race ratherthey are the reactions to the actions taken by India. BMDs by India neverstrengthened nuclear deterrence or stability rather they eliminated thedeterrence by nulling the credibility of ballistic missiles.

As a result, to maintain credibility of its deterrence though minimummeans, Pakistan opted for MIRV, as missile tracking systems are essentialin improving the accuracy and designs of missiles. If anything indicatesarms race in the region, it is India’s ICBMs, naval nuclear fleets andspace weaponization.

BY: Ayousha Khan — The writer is Research Associate at Strategic VisionInstitute, a think-tank based in Islamabad.