India likely to enter Nuclear arms Race

India likely to enter Nuclear arms Race

    It's believed that India likely to reenter the Nuclear arms race with the neighbors, as the American Think Tanks  suggested about Pakistani nuclear deterrence become full spectrum and that's the major threat to India, India now considering to revamp old techniques to produce more Nuclear warheads, as of now India produce warheads from only one Plutonium reactor, It's believed that India may speed up the process to get more number of Nuclear warheads,

    The International community estimates India has around hundres Nuclear warheads, his neighbors Pakistan has hundred and twenty and China has tow hundred plus Nuclear warheads and put some hundred plus warheads in combat ready mode, It's clear because of No first use Policy neither India or China would not exchange Nuclear war, however the real threat is the Pakistani Nuclear weapons and the rise of Terrorism in Pakistan, which makes the Pakistani nuclear warheads unsafe, and the terrorists can easily put their hands on Pakistani Nuclear, also some rough general from Pakistani Army can wage a Nuclear war against Bharath, and even many of the Pakistani military officials threatening India with their Nuclear warheads.

   The same American Think Tanks said the Pakistani warheads are small, because of low yield, this might be problem, since small size warheads can be easily transported, like a Truck or big van enough to transport a 50 kT warhead, although Pakistani missiles are less capable compared to others means less range and less payload, that's the major reason behind why Pakistan speeding it's nuke productions, the same that they can believe many tactical nukes may stop Indian Front line Offensive Force.

    India has two major Nuclear Power near it's doorstep, both of them claiming lands and intruding Indian territory, makes a tough scenario likely escalate at any moments, So far India mainly invested in credible Nuclear deterrence by developing most sophisticated missiles and delivery systems, with the dedicated Nuclear command.

    India yet to join the Nuclear triad group, as the tests firing of Submarine based Ballistic missile yet to happen, and the Submarine based live nukes will be deployed only after 2018 or 2020, once the S 2 and S 3 SSBN's cleared for deterrence patrol,

    India has credible Nuclear deterrence by using the Agni based Ballistic missiles, India Deployed 1000 km to 4000 km Range Ballistic missiles Agni 1,2,3,4. and It's believed short range ballistic missiles like Pritivi is withdrawn from SFC and it was further developed into quasi ballistic and anti ballistic missile program, and some of the Pritivi used for Indian Army can be used for sub munitions delivery, however it's hard to see launching Pritivi in war, because earlier it was used for Nuclear deterrence, The actual numbers of Agni Missiles is not available for Public, however  four Series of Agni numbers could reach more than 100 missiles, for the Agni Missiles India need some 100 warheads. and It's clear the numbers likely increase in coming years. means the need of more Nuclear warheads is must.

     India yet to induct the Agni 5 missile, and It's still on test phase, however some say the Agni 5 maybe converted into  Anti satellite missile, a missile designed to attack enemy satellites in the space, most of the Nuclear powers already tested such ASAT Capability, India also need such capability to strike enemy satellites in case of war, so if Agni 5 converted into ASAT missile, SFC goes for Agni 6 for long range nuclear attack missions, so far all Indian missiles comes with only one warheads, however all P 5 Nations ICBM's comes with Multiple warheads, mostly each ICBM comes with ten 200 to 500 Kilo Tons of Nuclear warheads, as already reported some media's earlier DRDO already engaged in a Program to develop MIRV based warheads, and It's expected the MIRV based Ballistic missile known as Agni 6, which is likely to be test fired next two years, as first DRDO Plans for three MIRV warheads and later only India will poses 10 MIRVed Warheads in Nuclear missiles, so after inducting MIRV warheads the Need of Nuclear warheads will triple it's size, so there is no doubt that India might go for more Nuclear warheads in future.

   The Air based deterrence is pretty small, SFC using the Jaguar fleet for Nuclear bombing role, one or two Jaguar squadron filled up with some 10 to 20 nuclear warheads whose yield might be lesser than some 20 kilo tons, fighter based Nuclear delivery is very low yield since it is used counter the enemy advancements, and the SFC plans to induct 40 Sukhoi fighters for Nuclear delivery, even the Sukhoi's also armed with nuclear tipped free fall bombs, however India may add some 40 Brahmos A missiles for Nuclear delivery, and which will be kept under secret or just a dream, because violating MCTR will brings heavy sanctions, India respects the IP rights .

    The Major upcoming Indian Nuclear deterrence is the Submarine based missiles, however the INS Arihant is just an test vehicle, will perform test parameters in underwater, it's Nuclear propulsion and it's missile launching capability, However the future Arihanth class known as Aridhman series only host live nukes, where one is currently constructed in Vizag and two more in Vadodara, almost all of them put on the sea before 2020. each submarine can host 4 long range MIRVed missiles, means 12 live nukes with some 100+ nukes. so the reason of doubling the Nuclear warheads is happen with or without racing with pakistan and Chinese, and one must understand China also increasing it's nukes and deploying newer platforms.

The Monster Agni 6

The Guardian Agni 6 

Artistic representation of Agni 6 with MIRV warheads

         An ambitious project of the DRDO is ready to take wings and with it the deterrence factor of India will reach new heights. With the country's sphere of influence growing the then Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik pitched for a delivery system that could break the ‘regional context’ and thus began DRDO’s conquest for the Agni 6 program.   

      A potent weapon system is about to be developed by the DRDO which will deliver a death blow to the enemies thousands of kilometres away. DRDO is heading full steam ahead with the Agni program and the reliable delivery system will this time be witnessing some breakthrough advancements which will result in Agni 6 with a speculated range of 10,000 kilometres. 

     The Agni 6 will feature MIRV warheads, which is a first for the Indian forces. At the press of a button the destruction of the enemy is guaranteed for the missile carries a 3 tonne nuclear warhead which if denoted will annihilate the enemy and drive them back to Stone Age. With the MIRV’s the warheads can easily out manoeuvre the enemy BMD systems and equipped with chaff systems and ECM systems the interception of the missile will be extremely unlikely.  

         The success of Agni 5 paved the way for Agni 6 and DRDO is believed to have constituted the program from late 2009, for a ICBM providing ranges of 10000+ km. Mounted with six MIRV warheads, each capable of acquiring different targets, the missile can deliver either a conventional warhead or biological or nuclear warheads with pin point accuracy to the designated target.

       The missile will have a range of more than 10,000 kilometres and with this most of North America will come under the missile strike range. The missile will be an exo-atmospheric system and will make most of its flight in the space helping it to attain the required long range strike.  

          Agni6 completes most its flight in sub orbital trajectory which will help achieve the missile speed up to 6 kilometres per second. The Agni 6 is a three staged ballistic missile and will most probably be a solid propellant powered system. The first and the second stage will contain only the propulsion motors, the final and last stage will launch up to 10 MIRV and also decoy warheads. Agni 6 can carry warheads up to 3 tonnes and with the MIRV’s the missile system is surely a nightmare to the enemy.   

       A single missile can deliver enough fire power to the enemy territory to annihilate the country for years. The ABM shields will be a hindrance to the delivery system, China armed with the most advanced Russian developed S400 systems can counter this threat but with ten MIRV and decoy warheads hurtling the success rate of the S400 will reduce to a great extent and with repeated strikes the purpose will be served.

       Initially the existence of the Agni 6 program was never confirmed by DRDO nor had they declined the repeated reports circulating in the Media. But an expected breakthrough announcement came in May 2011 with the promotion of Shri Avinash Chander. A DRDO newsletter released read.

Chief Controller R&D (Missiles and Strategic Systems)

“ Shri Avinash Chander, Distinguished Scientist, Programme Director, SFD and Director, Advanced Systems Laboratory has been appointed as Chief Controller R&D (Missiles and Strategic Systems) wef 3 May 2011. He is an eminent scientist in the field of Missiles and is the Chief Designer of Long-range missile system, with specific contribution in Agni programme management, mission design, guidance, navigation, simulation and terminal guidance. He has unique achievement of delivering and deploying three long-range Agni missile weapon systems viz, A1, A2 and A3.





Presently, he is leading three major system developments; A2p, a technologically challenging state-of-the-art system; a 5,000 km canister-launched A5 system; and a 6000 km A6 system with multiple warheads (MIRV) capable of launching both from the ground and underwater. “

       Thus the Agni 6 program was confirmed and the any strategic developments before materializing has to be put up before the government and only after the consent of the CCS will the project progress forward.

     But some recent reports mentioned that India already started the Agni 6 works and already completed the design works and waiting for Govt authorization to start the Project, since DRDO needs govt authorization to materialize any Strategic developments.

          India being a volunteer for no first strike policy any missiles homed in silos and mobile launchers are always vulnerable and an attack by the adversary may disable these missiles. But serving the real purpose of a second strike is the SLBM’s or simply the submarine launched ballistic missiles. Miniaturized missile systems will be fitted on the follow on Arihant SSBN’s and with these submarines submerged and floating silently thousands of kilometres away will surely work as the best platform for second strike scenario. The SLBM’s will also counter the submarine and aircraft carrier threats posed by the Chinese and can fire at the target with pin point accuracy.

          The Agni 6 may very well be developed into a ASAT missile, which is designed to neutralize enemy satellites which circle the orbits designated around a country and can hamper the operations of our forces. The use of any space oriented weapons has been banned by the International community. America, China, Russia and French are believed to posses ASAT missiles and America is the only country to have actually tested an ASAT.

          India strictly follows a “No first use policy” for nuclear weapons and will only retaliate if attacked and will annihilate the adversary”. The Agni 6 missiles are bound to take India to an exclusive club of nations which operate ICBM’s with 10000 kms. India will join America, Russia, France, UK and China.  

 Editor Karthik Kakoor

Infograph of Agni 6

MIRVed ICBM Launching method

A thermonuclear Warhead