Pakistani Tactical nuclear missiles deployed close to Indian Borders

Pakistani Tactical nuclear missiles deployed close to Indian Borders

Satellite pictures confirmed that atleast six Nasr Tactical missiles deployed in Gujranwala, Pakistan. Each Nasr can carry four missiles. The deployment consists of four launcher comprising twenty four missiles, ammunition bunkers and support systems. Gujranwala is 80km off from Indian borders, where Nasr's full range is 60 kilometers.

The tactical missile deployment recently get operational status, after series of ground works completed to house those missiles. Recent upgrades in Google imagery unveiled the new constructions and operational deployment of those missiles. Since they were placed in the open field for an induction ceremony.

Normally those launchers kept under fortified hangers. which keeps alive those missiles from airstrikes. The satellite pictures reveals two large hardened garages in the suspected area. which can keep three launchers in one garage.  both of them interconnected each other and the ammunition bunkers situated few meters away from the launch pad.

The base still in expansion, suggests new constructions and launch pads inside the compound. the main launch area has two launch pads. while another area had five launch pads connected with five separate garages. Each of those garages can accommodate two Nasr batteries. Satellite pictures also clearly shows Tyre marks between the launch pad and garage shows regular exercises has been happening in the base.

Another complex in the same compound looks like base administration buildings, buildings for troop accommodation, command and control centers. Which gives quick access to the crew to reach the launch pads and garage area.

Nasr is considered as a nuclear missile, used to counter the Indian cold start doctrine, The doctrine explains quick mobilization of massive Indian army close to the International border, further step inside Pakistan.

Pakistan uses the Nasr missile for reliability since it's shorter range that means sixty kilometers. Nasr is single stage missile, and carries upto five kilotons of nuclear warhead.

The above information are good enough to prove that Pakistan must use the nuclear missiles. in case of any border conflict with Pakistan. Those missiles can be used, if Indian soldiers march inside Pakistan. Those missiles are well close to Indian cities that means hundred kilometer from Jammu and 80 kilometers from Amritsar.

India have better option to counter the Pakistani tactical nuclear threats.To counter the Nasr launch IAF should conduct a preemptive air strike on those location. Since the deployed area is small and can be marked using GPS/LGB guided bombs. IAF need bunker busting bombs to destroy those launchers. Since they were kept under hardened concrete shelters.

Normal High Explosive heavy bombs will not penetrate such shelters. IAF may use the Jaguar fighters from Amritsar Air force base. IAF already had few Bunker busting LGB's bought from US major Lockheed Martin. Some reports mentions IAF bough one hundred bunker busting GBU 28 Paveway III LBG bombs. However there is no details available about additional procurement.

It's believed, few of the home made Sudharshan LGB's also had penetration capability to strike hardened shelters. By assessment IAF need more than twenty five Jaguar bomber each armed with three LGB's to destroy the key infrastructure in the Gujranwala Tactical deployment base.

Below is the Google map of Gujranwala Tactical deployment base.

Thanks to Raj 47

Understanding the nuclear Deterrence

Understanding the nuclear Deterrence

Nuclear weapons are known as the last sword to save the country before falling into enemy's hand, Nuclear weapons are considered as weapons of mass destruction, since they destroy large volume of area, more than that it makes the land inaccessible for humans for more than centuries, due to the radioactive materials continuously emit radio waves which can harm humans.

Nuclear weapons are considered as suicide weapon. also a self defense weapon too, if the enemy nation too posses the nuclear weapon, it could be used for self defense. Both can use the nuclear weapons  in case of anyone launched and vice versa. That's the reason why many nations instructed themselves by not using the nuclear weapons first. No first usage policy is commonly refereed term.

Meanwhile if the enemy nation do not have nuclear weapon, one can easily threaten the enemy with load of dossiers, just like how North Korean dictator Kim Jong repeatedly threatens the non nuclear pacific nations. Unlike in Indo-China-Pakistani theater all posses nuclear weapons. except Pakistan,  India and China had nuclear weapons in safe hand and No first usage policy.

When comes to Pakistan, the rough terrorist regime, who threatens India with tactical nuclear weapons to counter the Indian cold start military movement doctrine. The doctrine simply understand as "March towards Islam-a-bad" . Pakistan reports they can stop the Indian forces using the tactical nuclear weapons if they crossed the border.

Here Pakistan has a less powerful nuclear deterrence compared to India. If Pakistan conduct a nuclear strike against India, with the barrage of some 40 to 60 missiles with nuclear warheads. India may face huge casualty and India can lost many cities.

One has to be understand, those known missile defense systems will not work effectively due to the barrage of multiple launches. Pakistan can use their low yield short range nuclear missiles over India. Pakistan can achieve 20% of successful launches. Since 80% of the missiles can be either intercepted by AD system or launch failure, or missile malfunctions.

In retaliation, India can launch another barrage of some 100 missiles over Pakistan each targets major Pakistani cities with the hit probability of some 80%. with the huge Strike from India, Pakistan can be pushed back to ancient age and can be inaccessible for another some 200 or more years.

The reason why India boosting it's conventional capabilities to fight against Pakistan, In the limited conventional war India can defeat Pakistan. even with low friendly causalities. However Pakistan can use their lands and peoples can live there without any issues even losing to India in a conventional war. the same not available if they planned for a WMD usage.

It's clear, Pakistan can continuously black mail India, while not performing a one, Since all those Pakistani nuclear missiles are always tracked by different nations Intelligence wing as well as Indian intelligence too. They were placed within the strike range of Indian fighter aircraft's. Suppose any conditions Pakistan tries to launch a nuke missile, India can conduct a preemptive air strike targeting those launch pads.

The same can be switched towards Chinese point of view, China has large conventional fire power as well as Nuclear fire power compared to India, India will not pose any serious nuke threats to China, since India knows then the outcome from China may larger than assume in an nuclear war. with the massive number of arsenal, China can take out more than 50 top cities in India, where India can take out some 20 to 25 Top Chinese cities with nuke strikes.

Results can favor to China only, where they can capable to withstand from Indian nuke attack but not us. Moreover China has large significant military fire power, while India too have, both maintain no first usage policy too. So the Indo China war could be in the conventional field only.

 Those Arihant series also as part of nuclear deterrence, If massive first wave of Chinese nuke strike disabled all ground launching and air launching capability. Those Arihants can retaliate the Chinese launch, This is a example of Suicide weapon.  On the other side, If India takes out Pakistani nuclear launching capability in first wave of attack, Pakistan has no option to retaliate. That Pakistan must understand before blackmailing India with nuke threats.

Pakistani Long Range Shaheen III IRBM

Pakistani Long Range Shaheen III IRBM

Shaheen III Missile

    Pakistan recently conducted in house developed Shaheen III Intermediate Range Ballistic missile test firing, Who can strike anywhere in India and covers Israel too. The typical range of Shaheen III is some 2700 kilometers. who carry warheads upto some one Tons. However there is no mention of actual payload capacity. Pakistani sources said the test validates various technical aspects and parameters.

    The Shaheen III is the successor of earlier Shaheen short range ballistic missiles. However many technical aspects comes from the Failed Pakistani space programs. The Shaheen III project is a derivative of Pakistani satellite launch vehicle.

     Pakistani officials said the Shaheen can carry multiple warheads used to defeat the Indian ballistic missile defense shield. This allows Pakistan get credible deterrence against Indian Nuclear missile's. However there is no information of  Pakistani Re entry vehicle program. Pakistan needs to research more to achieve the RV technology. It's clear Pakistani's don't have an RV or MIRV warheads. However they do have heavy one ton nuclear warheads.

    Pakistani officials told the test is against the Indians who is more active in modern thermonuclear projects and the three layer of missile defense systems. The modern Indian Nuclear warhead can be delivered through Submarines, Aircraft's and Ballistic Missile systems. The term called as Nuclear triad. The three layer missile defense system comprised of Israeli Indian Barak 8 based LRSAM, the home grown AAD,PDV and the newly planned S 400 Acquisition from Russia.

   So The Pakistani's need more better delivery options to penetrate Indian defense shield to further perform a nuclear missile attack. The Pakistan has low end of nuclear deliver options. The Pakistani deterrence based on  medium range ballistic missiles and unproven Air launched cruise missiles. Those systems will not have a capacity to penetrate Indian airspace due to dense air defense network and surveillance in India.

   Many analysts confirm the Shaheen III is originally meant for Israel, Who always looks to steal the Pakistani Nuclear warheads. The Israeli's tried twice to perform such missions. One with India another alone. Both are not executed due to lack of ground options from India. Israel destroyed  dream of Iraqi and Syrian Nuclear capability. Pakistan is the only one escaped from the Israeli attack so far. However that will not last long.

   The Israeli Intelligence along with West and Americans who keeps their eye's always over the Pakistani Nuclear warheads. Since the warheads can be easily transported and sold to terrorists. There is a early report in Daily Mail that ISIS is very close to buy a Nuclear warhead from Pakistan.

    The Israeli's also have a good layer of missile defense systems. Which is considered as one of the best systems along with USA. The Ballistic missile defense system comprised with PAC 3 systems, David Sling system and the more powerful long range Arrow ballistic missile defense system. Those missile defense layers can protect each and every inch of the Israeli lands.

Arrow missile defense battery

   Israel do have credible nuclear deterrence, comprised by submarine launched platforms, Air launched platforms and missile launched platforms. The Israeli's using modified Dolphin class submarines. Which is believed to carry Tomahawk missiles armed with Nuclear warheads. However there is no confirmation of the source. Except US president Clinton's mention of Tomahawk missile sale to Israel. It's clear the Dolphins do carry the Popeye cruise missile whose range upto some 1500 km armed with Nuclear warheads. Most of the Israeli nuclear programs are highly classified.

   The Pakistani's are always under watch of Israeli intelligence and the recent Indo Israeli mutual pact's brings India and Israel more closer against the Pakistani's.

    So it's clear the Pakistani long range missiles won't pose a serious threat, When all of the Indian missile defense systems becomes operational.     

Pakistani Report, India has enough fissile material for 2000 Nuke Bomb

Pakistani Report, India has enough fissile material for 2000 Nuke Bomb

    It's hard to believe that Pakistan too have common sense, since their Political leaders to Military leaders vows to attack India and shout Pakistan will win the war if future conflict erupt with India, so it's hard to digest that Pakistani military officials too lost their common sense and IQ, even recently they said Pakistan can annihilate India with the nuclear weapons, such words can comes from only an idiots or poor educated fellow's. however the Pakistani National command authority members speak about the Indian Capabilities in a recent meeting with the Pakistani government and military officials.

   The meeting was mainly focused the Pakistani Strategic programs and capabilities, while they analyzes with latest inputs from American think tanks report and many other resources,and they assumed that India has enough fissile materials to produce more than 2000 nuclear warheads, not just a low yield sub kilo ton warheads, it's mega ton ranges, even that assessment is not updated, the report suggests the details are as of 2013, and now the new Indian Government may speed up the process to build more nuke warheads, which can pose serious threats to Pakistan in case of nuclear war,

    The meeting also brings a clear input of growing conventional capabilities of Indian Army, which can able to attack and pose serious damages to Pakistani assets in case of war, the major reason behind why Pakistan change it's maximum deterrence policy into full spectrum nuclear deterrence, how ever they never discussed anything about the Pakistani officials war drums, or the Media is not allowed to publish about it, provoking India should cost more to Pakistan is the correct answer they get in the meeting if they discussed about it,

   Surprisingly the meeting was headed by the Pakistani Prime minister and his cabinet ministers along with the Pakistani national security adviser and  tri-services chiefs, they also briefed about the cross border shelling and provocation, how ever no information about the discussion was not published in the media.    

   The meeting also disclosed that currently no information available about the Indian Nuclear stockpiles and Missile delivery systems, as earlier from 2000's it's stayed on the same 90 to 110 numbers, and Pakistan says the assumptions maybe wrong, they have more nuclear warheads than estimated,

    Pakistan also raised concern of Indian second strike capability, involving nuclear powered strategic missile submarine, that India planned more than three such platforms, and It's a shock to Pakistani's about Arihant's performance and secrecy, so far it's not involved in any mishaps. those submarines can attack any Pakistan cities with the nuclear warheads.

   Interestingly they analyses the Indian Nirbhay missile too, a missile similar to American long range Tomahawk cruise missile system. they concerned about Indian plans of  Air launched and submarine launched version of Nirbhay cruise missiles, that can carry conventional warheads upto the range of some 1000+ kilometers.

   The meeting suggested that Pakistan should maintain full spectrum nuclear deterrence level to confront India, and that's what Pakistan doing since ages. we have Nuclear we have nuclear.    

US Think Tank estimates Pakistani Nuclear Arsenal

US Think Tank estimates Pakistani Nuclear Arsenal

   The US Based Think Tank Carnegie Endowment  recently researched about the Pakistani advancement in the Nuclear weapons field, and submit their report to the US Congress, the report comes with some evidences of Pakistan's growing nuclear arsenal, include plans of adding more number of low yield Nuclear warheads, the report also suggest Pakistani Plutonium reactors producing twenty warheads per year, while India producing only five, Pakistan has four plutonium based reactors to produce more number of warheads, while India have only one to Produce nuclear warheads,

   The Source of Nuclear materials are available in India very high grade and large quantity, However India invested those resources to produce power and other civil based nuclear research, while Pakistan keep those reactors only for producing warheads, the Think tanks also suggested India choose a good option of using those large quantity of Nuclear materials for civil and Research purposes, at the meantime they produce high Quality high yield of  Nuclear weapons to pose credible nuclear deterrence against both Chinese and Pakistan, they also give an example by US made those Nuclear largely for Civil use and research, which give them good warheads in High yield but less numbers, meanwhile Soviet invested heavily to Build Nuclear weapons, which makes their economy down due to safeguarding those weapons and huge amount of maintenance cost. the same what Pakistan was doing now.

   Pakistan also gets unlimited nuclear materials from China, to run their Nuclear Reactors, where Nuclear supply Groups Refused to supply Nuke materials to Pakistan, meanwhile India receives high grade of Nuclear materials all over from the World, from Canada to Australia, India has a wide open for external sources, While Chinese unlimited nuclear Fuel gives Pakistan no worry about Nuclear Supply Groups,

Meantime The American Think Tanks also pointed some keys to Stop Pakistani advancements in Nukes

• Shift declaratory policy from “full spectrum” to “strategic” deterrence.

• Commit to a recessed deterrence posture and limit production of short-range delivery vehicles and tactical nuclear weapons.

• Lift Pakistan’s veto on Fissile Material Cut of Treaty negotiations and reduce or stop fissile material production.

• Separate civilian and military nuclear facilities.

• Sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty without waiting for India.  

    Even if the Pakistani's say the Nuclear weapon program is for Self Defense, however it's threatening India many times,meanwhile India slowly building it's credible Nuclear delivery and pushing it's capability into Nuclear triad, meanwhile Pakistan relies only on it's Variety of Ballistic and Cruise missiles,

   Although Pakistan need to be keep their Nukes for deterrence, Because India invested largely in building conventional Forces, which can almost destroy entire Pakistan or have the capability to capture and control entire Pakistani land, without making any issues in economic and civil structures in India, However Pakistan has no other options expect their Nuke Missiles, those Short Range Tactical Ballistic missiles can save the Pakistani's from Indian Offensive forces, which even makes the Pakistani to nuke his self to Stop Indian Army, However long range cruise missiles like Babur and Shaheen Ballistic missiles has the Capability to strike Indian Cities like Delhi and Mumbai,

    The risk of Pakistani Nuclear missiles in Terrorists hands is also a major problem, Since many number of Terrorists operating inside Pakistan with the Pakistani government support, if the relation between Pakistan government and Terrorists org broken, they effective choose the Pakistani Nuclear weapons to counter the Pakistani Government, forcing International or Indian intervention into the regional Conflict, Pakistani Nuclear missiles in Terrorists hands is not only a threat to India, it's a threat to American interests in Middle East, include Afghan,

    As Three tier of Nuclear Powers, Known by US and Russia comes in First, having capability to deliver barrage of Nuclear attack from it's triad of Nuclear delivery mechanism, currently both of them deployed over 3000 Nuclear Weapons,

   The Second tier comprises of UK, France and China, having nuclear weapons in hundreds, even having capability deliver nukes with the triad delivery, each have an deployed warheads of some 300+ with the delivery options of Missiles, Air and Submarine based,

    The Third Tier consists of Nations like India Pakistan and Israel, countries didn't signed the NPT agreement, although Indian and Israeli Nukes are considered very safe and secure and under control by the Civilian people elected government, here Pakistan is the only country with rough regime same like North Korea and Iran, threatening nations with Nuclear preemptive Strike. also a threat to civilization. those countries contentiously spreading the nuclear technology to other countries to counter American and western Nations,

    An alternate future would result from a decision by Pakistan’s leaders to acknowledge their success in accomplishing strategic deterrence against India and to redirect spending to more pressing concerns; in effect, to de-link Pakistan’s nuclear requirements and capabilities from India’s military programs. We define strategic deterrence as possessing the capabilities necessary to deter worst cases (nuclear exchanges and major conventional warfare) but not lesser threats (such as limited conventional war, proxy wars, sub conventional warfare, sponsored acts of terrorism, and extreme crises) for which the track record of nuclear deterrence is poor, particularly on the subcontinent.42 In this alternate future, Pakistan would retain a powerful nuclear deterrent. Existing capabilities could meet this requirement, and there would be no perceived need to offset qualitative or quantitative improvements in Indian military capabilities. said the Carnegie Researchers,

    The Researchers found, that India spend 2.4% of GDP for it's defense needs, that's equals to some $50 billions, and Pakistan spending 3.4 % of it's GDP worth of some $10 billions, with the High economy of India, even smaller percentage hike would over run entire Pakistani defense spending.

  As finally the Researches suggested that US should try to convince Pakistan to do those following steps,

   A Pakistan that is confident in its success in achieving strategic deterrence would no longer need to adjust to changes in Indian military capabilities. Instead, Pakistan could focus on improving conventional and counter terrorism capabilities, and dedicate greater effort and resources to Pakistan’s domestic and internal security challenges.

   Conversely, if Pakistan’s national security managers lack confidence in nuclear deterrence with an arsenal of more than 100 nuclear weapons, they will lack confidence in deterring India with an arsenal twice or three times this size.

   A Pakistan intent on competing with India — or out competing India, where possible — will never have enough nuclear weapons because India’s nuclear and conventional capabilities will continue to grow.

   Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal offers utility only in deterring worst cases, and if deterrence fails, that utility is lost.

The Entire 48 Page Report available Click here to download.

.

Maj Gen Prithviraj aka Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam : Pokhran 2

 Maj Gen Prithviraj aka Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam : Pokhran 2

   It was one of those still winter mornings. No winds rustled through the thorny shrubs. No eddies of dust progressed to minor storms that sprayed grains of sand like raindrops on a windshield. Even the herds of rutting deer that roamed the range had fallen silent.

    So the tyres crunching through the sand and the roar of engines sounded like Godzilla on the march as the convoy of bulldozers and trucks made their way slowly through the desert. Till they came upon a fairly deep well marked by sand bags around its circumference.

    A few brisk orders and the dozers started pushing huge mounds of sand into the well. Men with shovels joined the activity and within an hour they had not only sealed the well but also built a mini-mountain of sand around it. They then unwound a huge reel of wrist-thick cables till the black wire snaked all over the place. Satisfied they took out smoke canisters, placed a dozen on the mound they had just built and lit them up.

    As the giant grey mushroom clouds billowed into the sky, the 20 odd men looked up expectantly. There was nothing visible to the naked eye but the vast blue expanse. One of the men shook his fist and shouted at the invisible adversary, "Catch us if you can." The others doubled up in laughter. They enjoyed the little game of deception they were playing. At the thought of how the next day spooks from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) would download images from the satellite and would scratch their heads or whatever wondering what the hell the Indians were up to in the middle of the desert.

    When the convoy returned to base, Colonel Gopal Kaushik, commandant of the 58 Engineer Regiment of the Indian Army, wrote in his daily report: "... Jan 1998, Dummy exercise carried out. More tomorrow." The 58 Engineers were specially chosen for the crucial task of maintaining the shafts in which India's nuclear devices would be tested. They were told to take all measures to ensure total secrecy. So effective were the regiment's tactics that when India carried out five nuclear tests in May 1998, it went down as one of the CIA's biggest intelligence failures.

    It wasn't as if the agency was ill-equipped. It had kept the test range under constant surveillance for years using billion-dollar spies in the sky -- four powerful satellites -- that could even snap photographs of the wristwatch of an Indian soldier far below and read out the time. On ground the CIA boasted of "humint" or human intelligence, its array of agents and well-greased moles trained to sift through the countless half-truths that swirled through New Delhi's power corridors.

WAKING KUMBHAKARAN

    Unlike Pakistan's nuclear test site at the remote Chagai Hills in Baluchistan, there was little India could do to hide its activity at Pokhran. In the semi-desert like conditions, its gently undulating terrain can support only shoulder-high thorny bushes. The bushes are sparse and like the dunes don't provide much cover from a probing satellite. But the 58 Engineers had a year and a half to rehearse. They also had the wealth of experience handed down to them by the dozen-odd regiments that had maintained the shafts. There were occasional bursts of activity that alerted the US to the possibility of tests -- thrice to be precise. In 1982, 1995 and 1997. Each episode taught the Indians what not to do. General V.P. Malik, chief of army staff, says, "Over the years our boys did an excellent job out there in the desert. But so far we could never speak about it."

    The subterfuge employed by the Indian Army included using code names or words, many of which were downright undiplomatic. The shaft used to test India's hydrogen bomb, for instance, was known as the White House. As risque was Taj Mahal -- the code name for the shaft in which the atomic bomb was detonated. Imagine the bomb team telling Delhi after the tests: "The White House has collapsed." Or "The Taj Mahal has blown up." They never had to. So why the names? The team's defence: for God's sake, these are just code words and the crazier they sound the easier their recall.

    The name of the third shaft, where a sub-kiloton or low-yield test was conducted, was less controversial. It was called Kumbhakaran, after a mythological figure who when disturbed from his deep slumber would fly into a frightening rage. Since the well in which the shaft was sunk had lain dormant for many years the name was appropriate. There were three other shafts designated Navtala (Hindi for nine wells), a name given to the area because it had old, disused drinking-water wells. The team used three of them to sink shafts for the tests and these were called nt1, 2 and 3.

    All the six shafts were to be used for the May 1998 tests, but the bomb team only exploded five devices. The device in NT 3 was pulled out and taken back under orders from R. Chidambaram, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) chairman, because he felt the team had the results they wanted with just five blasts. As he told the team laconically, "Why waste it?"

'IS SIERRA SERVING WHISKY?' 

 
    As part of the drive to maintain secrecy the country's two top scientists, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Chidambaram, donned army greens whenever they visited Pokhran. The 80-odd scientists and technologists from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and DRDO who descended on Pokhran to conduct the tests in May were also given army fatigues and false names. With so many code names or words around, the conversation at times was bewildering even to those who were part of the loop. At least one top scientist told the team that he found it easier to do his physics calculations than decipher the code language. Would they please stick to normal words so that he could get his work done? The team demurred.




    So in the run for the tests, an army officer manning the operations room was asked by Delhi: "Is Sierra serving whisky in the canteen yet? Has the store arrived?" Decoded that meant: "Has the nuclear device been lowered in the special chamber (canteen) in the shaft called White House (Whisky was its other name) and have the scientists (Sierra) started working on them?"

    A little later Delhi was on line with another query: "Has Charlie gone to the zoo? And is Bravo saying prayers? Mike is on." The decoded version: "Has the DRDO team (codenamed Charlie) gone to the deer park (the zoo or the control room)? And has the BARC team (codenamed Bravo) gone to the bunkers where the nuclear devices are being assembled (prayer hall). The dg, military operations (Mike) wants to know the progress."

     In the spring of 1997, K. Santhanam and Lieutenant General Inder Varma paid a secret visit to Pokhran. As drdo's pointsman on the nuclear issue, Santhanam, chief adviser on technology, was closely involved in India's plans to weaponise its capability since 1986. He was brought in by V.S. Arunachalam, Kalam's predecessor who played a key role in India's nuclear weapons quest in the '80s. Santhanam's code name was Lieutenant Colonel Srinivas, a sobriquet he had earlier frequently used to pen articles in the lay press.

     Lieutenant General Varma, DG, military operations, code named Mike, was the army's key man for all such nuclear operations. His task was to ensure that shafts and facilities at Pokhran were kept in a state of continuous readiness so a test could be done within 10 days of a decision. And to ensure secrecy. His formula: "Keep it simple."

     On that visit, the duo told the 58 Engineers that they had to dig two more shafts of an average depth of 50 metres within the next month. And all efforts must be made to shield it from the prying eyes of satellites. The regiment got cracking. Its officers first looked out for a new area to sink the two new wells.

     The nine disused wells at Navtala came in handy. These were fairly deep. That meant the team had less to dig. They had noticed that one way satellites could tell new activity was going on was because engineers usually erected a fence around the shaft to keep away both stray cattle and other units not concerned with the digging operations. This time they dispensed with a fence. To dissuade others a sign was put up: "Danger. Mined Area. Keep Out." That worked.

      The army regiment got even bolder. They knew the intelligence agencies were like diplomats: if you told them the truth they would never believe you. So instead of taking attention away from the two shafts they were to dig, they virtually shouted for the satellites to look. They pitched tents around one of the shafts and put up a signboard: "Water Position". At the other site they parked four dozers and put up another giant signboard that said "Dozer Cadre Training". On satellite images they stood out like smoke trails in a clear sky. After a flurry of such subterfuge, the regiment waited for reaction. Indian intelligence agencies reported no undue concern in key countries. The army knew its ploy was working. It also realised that one of the reasons why US satellites had detected fresh activity in Pokhran in 1995 was possibly the movement of huge mounds of sands close to the wells. These were to be used to seal the shafts when the devices were lowered. The army figured that western intelligence agencies knew they had started shifting sands by studying how the winds shaped the mounds. If winds were creating new mounds, they would align them in the direction they were blowing. But if dozers were used to shift sand the new mounds contrasted distinctly with other dunes.

     Army planners then came up with a solution. Whenever they moved sand they monitored the wind and ensured that the mounds were aligned according to the direction it was blowing. The technique worked and months before the test several dummy runs were done to see if the CIA was perking up.

SHAKTI STHAL 

     Up ahead from Pokhran is Khetolai, a lazy stone and sand Rajasthani village (population: 1,200) that put up with much of the discomfort caused by India's nuclear preparedness. In the aftermath of India's 1998 nuclear tests, some zealots had repainted its signboard. Above the word Khetolai in smaller letters was painted, "Shakti Sthal" or Place of Strength.

     Sohanram Vishnoi, principal of Khetolai's only school, still remembers how violently the ground shook that May morning in 1974 when India exploded its first nuclear device. Then only 15 years old, he was certain his house would collapse. He recalls the local mendicant's explanation for the quake. The sadhu told him gravely that the world rotated around the horn of a cow. Occasionally the cow, tired of carrying the weight of the world, would shift it from one horn tip to the other. The earth would then shake violently as it did that on that summer's day.

     In May 1998, Sohanram saw increased activity at the Pokhran range and knew something serious was going on. On the morning of May 11, Major Mohan Kumar Sharma of the 58 Engineers drove up and requested Sohanram to keep the schoolchildren outdoors for a couple of hours. He wouldn't divulge the reason but Sohanram told the stunned officer, "Don't worry, we know you are going to do another test. We are fully behind you."

 From the Book of  Weapons of Peace Article Published in India Today 

The secret 'K' missile family

 The secret 'K' missile family

  Named after Kalam, a secret family of advanced weapons is taking shape but the Government is yet to decide on the induction of their land-based variants.

   In a dramatic breakthrough in its nuclear offensive capability, India has successfully tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) with an eventual range of 3,500 km. Tested secretly off Visakhapatnam in January this year, the 10-m long and 1.3-m wide missile emerged from a pontoon submerged 50 m underwater and breached the surface. Painted black and white so that it can be distinguished in water, it has passed a critical parameter.

    Named after India's missile man, former President APJ Abdul Kalam, the nuclear-tipped K-4 is quite significant in a batch of new-generation counter-strike strategic missiles. The top secret indigenous "K" missiles are faster, lighter and stealthier. They also make India only the sixth country to develop undersea strategic missiles.

    A second firing, to be conducted off Visakhapatnam within two months, will revalidate a critical parameter-the ability of a 20-tonne projectile to withstand 50 kg of water pressure and eject from a submerged launcher before engaging its rocket booster. What makes an SLBM relevant in the Indian context is that it is part of the third leg of the nuclear deterrent (air and ground-launched weapons being the other two) and the ideal invulnerable second strike weapon stated in the nuclear doctrine. Defence officials say a long range SLBM like the K-4 will enable an Indian nuclear submarine lurking in the Bay of Bengal to target China and Pakistan simultaneously. Launched last year, India's first indigenous nuclear-powered submarine Arihant has been designed to carry four K-4s or 12 of the 750-km range K-15s.

    DRDO officials say that the K-4 will be ready for induction before the end of the decade. This is because most technologies, including the sophisticated guidance packages, were already perfected while developing the shorter range K-15 SLBM. Defence officials, however, are cautious because despite a history of missile expertise, Russia has witnessed multiple failures of its new Bulava SLBM. In the works is an as yet unnamed longer-legged variant of the K-4 with a 5,000-km range. The 12-m long missile is meant to arm future nuclear submarines.

     But while the DRDO parades its Agni and Prithvi missiles on Republic Day, it will not even acknowledge the existence of any of these "black projectsâ€? that have been cloaked under the Advanced Technology Vessel Project (ATV) that builds the Arihant class of nuclear submarines.

   By 2008, the missile was successfully test fired seven times, and tested to its full range up to four times. The tests of 26 February 2008, were conducted from a submerged pontoon 50 metres (160 ft) beneath the surface off the coast of Visakhapatnam. A land-based version of the K-15 Sagarika was successfully test-fired on 12 November 2008. A full range test of the missile was done on 11 March 2012. The twelfth and final development trial of the missiles was conducted on 27 January 2013. According to DRDO Director General V. K. Saraswat, the missile was again tested for its full range of 700 km and met all its objectives with a single digit impact-accuracy.The test will be followed by integration of the missile with INS Arihant. 

Article by Sandeep Unnithan and published in India Today

Indian Civil Nuclear Project

Indian Civil Nuclear Project

   Nuclear power is one of the major power source in India, but comes only after thermal, Hydroelectric and  renewable energy sources like wind mills and solar panels, But India Plans to increase the Nuclear based power generation to equalize the country's growing power requirement. So far India has some 22 Nuclear reactors in seven Nuclear  Power plants across India, producing estimated power output of some 6000 mega watts of electricity, recently the Russian made Reactor in Kudankulam produces nearly 1000 mega watts from it's first operational power plant, which is the highest single power plant's power production in India.

    India plans to construct more number of Reactors in Kudankulam and Rajastan with the support of Russia and France respectively, in Kudankulam government plans to construct ten bigger nuclear reactor each can produce 1000 mega watts, so far only one has operational, and the second in testing run and third is in construction stage, and in Rajastan the French backed Areva project which expected to produce 9000 mega watts of power from it's five to ten Nuclear Reactors,the project is yet to started, recently the Indian PM signs a Memorandum of understanding with the French Government and Areva company about the price negotiations for the consuming units,

   Even with the Huge numbers of Planned and operational reactors, India need huge amount of nuclear fuel that's the Uranium, despite sanctions in early 2000, India bought nuclear fuel from Russia to runs it's reactors in various plants across India, countries like Canada and Australia hold world's largest high grade uranium deposits, to import from nations who supply nuclear fuel need a authorization from Nuclear supply Group organizations and IAEA- international atomic energy corporation, after the sanctions waived  in 2008, India explored opportunities to build more advanced Reactors and buying high grade uranium from foreign suppliers,

    Later India made contracts with several countries to supply uranium, countries include Canada Australia and more, recently the Prime minister signed a contract with Kazakhstan authorizes to supply 5000 metric tons of  high grade uranium to Indian reactors.

     India also has huge uranium deposits but they were very low grade, enriching and processing those uranium makes huge cost than importing from foreign, but recently The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research found uranium deposits around Andhra and Telangana Forests, also the analyzed report mentions that the uranium found in that forest is high grade and equals to the importing uranium's grade, so far the team estimated the uranium deposits in that area could reach more than some 50,000 metric tons.  a Single nuclear reactor which produces 700 mega watts of power needs 125 metric tons of uranium for one year.

    India recently initiated plans to build more strategic uranium reserves in India, to store more than 5000 metric tons of uranium, which supply enough uranium to Indian reactors for more than five years, India has a single Uranium reserve which is located in Hyderabad, it's expected that India will construct two more reserves in coming years.

    India has huge amount of Thorium deposits, but currently there is no working reactors which can use thorium as their fuel, the long Indian coast has a deposit of some half a million metric tons of thorium deposits, and India already initiated projects to build reactors based on thorium as their fuel, currently Kalpakkam has hosting a major works of Thorium based reactors, if those programs were Successful most Future reactors will be built by using thorium as their Fuel.

    It's expected that India can reach 30,000 mega watts of power generation through nuclear reactor by coming 2030.

Reliance defense teams up with Russia to build nuclear powered submarines

Reliance to carter Indian navy’s demand for six indigenously developed nuclear submarines.

    

    Russia one of India’s oldest ally, the nation which has catered to India’s various needs. Russia has supplied India with the most sophisticated technologies to India, not only has Russia been supplier but has turned out to be a key in India’s quest to master various critical technologies. Russia was one of the nations which pitched for India after the Pokran tests. Russia declined to pay heed to the sanctions the western bloc imposed over India soon after the test was made public. 

   Russia was also instrumental in helping India evolve towards a nuclear state. The civil nuclear pacts have received importance right from the soviet era, Russia was the key In India’s quest to nuclear power plants. Most of the nuclear power plants operated by India are mainly because of Russian supplied nuclear reactors which have powered India’s dreams over the years by supplying uninterrupted power to the nation.

      During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the Nixon administration fielded Task Force 74 headed by USS Enterprise off the Bay of Bengal as a show of power. With India’s limited naval reach it would have been impossible to even challenge this force, but it was Russia again to India’s rescue. Russia fielded its nuclear submarines in the Indian Ocean blocking any further US assistance to the Pakistani’s. 

   The Indian administration then realized the need for nuclear submarines which could enhance India’s operational reach to a great extend. Even though India started several black projects to fuel their need for a nuclear submarine it was realized only with Russia supplying India, its first nuclear fueled submarine the ‘INS Chakra’ way back in1988. Russia leased its K-43 a Charlie class submarine that served with Indian navy from 1988 to 1991. Displaying its trust in India, in 2011 Russia least yet another nuclear powered submarine to be operated by the Indian navy.  The Indian Navy started operating an advanced Akula class submarine which was cherished as INS Chakra.


The home grown Arihant class nuclear submarine project has gained wings with the first vessel under the program, INS Arihant entering its sea trial phase. Addressing a press meet the Chief of Naval Staff, R K Dhowan had claimed that the sea trials were going very well. It is believed India is contemplating to build three more follow on ships of the class. To counter its diminishing number of underwater force and with China flexing its muscles along the Indian Ocean, 

   India has been forced to look at acquiring more nuclear powered submarines. Indian government has now given its consent to acquire six SSN, these submarines will have to be manufactured in India by a state owned company or a private company under collaborations with a foreign company. Realizing the crippling underwater capabilities of the Indian navy, the new government has fast tracked the Project 75 and Project 75I. Six new Scorpene submarines will be inducted under the P 75 and will acquire six more under P 75I.

       With the demands increasing for the submarine force various Indian based private companies and ship yards have now shown keen interest in working towards building home developed submarines. Mazagon docks have teamed up with DCNS to provide Indian navy with advanced submarines. L&T has also shown keen interest in developing submarines in its ship yard in Tamil Nadu. The newest to join the list is Reliance which has offered to team up with Russian companies in order to provide highly advanced submarines. Reliance boosts of an 18% share in the nation’s biggest ship building yard Pipavav shipyard. 

     Reliance has three subsidiaries, Reliance Defence Systems, Reliance Defence Technologies and Reliance Defence & Aerospace which have varied interests in the Indian defence sector. With its eye on the 10 billion orders for manufacturing six nuclear powered submarines, Reliance is believed to be entering with a Russian shipyard. Russia will offer its technology expertise to manufacture these submarines in India by Reliance. Reliance is now believed to have already negotiated with the Russian defence ministry is expected to be waiting for entering with Joint Venture (JV) with an undisclosed Russian shipyard. Officials from Reliance are believed to have met with the Russian defence minister Sergey Shoigu in Moscow.


    Reliance may also pitch in for the production of stealth frigates under P 17A. The project is believed to be worth around US $ 4 billion. The Modi government has increased the FDI in defence sector to 49 %. With Reliance opting for Russian partnership can be a huge boost to grab the project. Indian navy currently operates Russian origin Kilo submarines. The ‘ Make in India’ will also be a boost for the Reliance formed JV. 

   If a private shipyard masters the process of building nuclear submarines, Indian navies demand along the western and eastern naval boards can be easily catered to.  It has to be seen of a newly formed Reliance JV will be awarded the deal of the battle proven L&T and experience rich Mazagon docks and DCNS. It is also crucial that the Indian navy acquires these submarines at a fastened rate. Public-Private partnership will surely help India build its diminishing submarine force.


Editor - Karthik Kakoor

The Pakistan Nukes is the ISIS Nukes

The Pakistan Nukes is the ISIS Nukes

       It's just been released in the media's that the ISIS said it would buy the Nuclear bomb from Pakistan, It's nothing new to but most defense think tanks already suspected that Pakistan would deliver it's nuclear bombs to it's proxy's that means their closest Terrorists, Meanwhile most of the Pakistani serving officials are pro Jihadi's or an Terrorist supporters,also Pakistan is the safe heaven for Terrorists since decades.

       It's earlier reported that Saudis may abandon it's non Nuclear state by buying Nuke bombs from Pakistan and Missiles from China, makes them a powerful Nuclear nation can confront against their rival shia enemy Iran. 

        Pakistani's wont sell Nukes to shia states, but they can provide nukes to any Sunni organizations, The best example is Pakistan ready to fight against the Houti's in Yemen where Houti's were Shia, but they didn't spent a penny to fight against Sunni Terrorism in Iraq widely named ISIS.

       Recently a French Journalist did a covert investigation about e-jihadi, where She almost found the Hub of Jihadi bride requirement, which is located in Pakistan. which makes the connection between Pakistan and ISIS is more stronger than ever.

       These details were published in the ISIS weekly magazine which is published by themselves, sates the plan of  buying the Nuclear bomb's from Pakistan, also they said they have enough money to buy the bombs from Pakistan, since ISIS have vault of money which comes through by oil trades done by Black market dealers.  it's easy to buy nuclear bombs from Pakistan

         But in Nuclear Black market they can buy enough materials to build a nuclear bomb, but they don't have enrichment plants. one have to thanks the Israeli's for that, who destroyed the Iraqi Nuclear plants in 1980's and buried their dream of being Nuclear.

        There is no way to prevent the ISIS byuing the nukes from Pakistan, but one have to act smart to prevent them using against our States, so far ISIS prime target is the USA, but which can't be ruled out, Iran and India also in their top List, With the improved surveillance the Indian Borders are  sealed and close surveillance by Tri services.

It's once again The Pakistan showing it's true face in front of Global Humanity. 

Agni III IRBM

Agni III IRBM

Agni 3 Test Launch

      Agni Missile program, named after the fire god in Hindu tradition has for long been associated with the deterrence of our nation. The Agni program under which our country has developed a whole array of intercontinental ballistic missiles has turned to produce one most delivery systems for the Indian armed forces.

       The Agni program was conceived by around 1985 with the DRDO in charge of producing a delivery system that could help India realize its long awaited Missile program. DRDO has produced the most advanced and efficient missile systems under the program. The Agni team has time and again proved it might with repeated tests by the control authority, SFC (Strategic Forces). 

       The Interim Test Range in Chandipur is filled the most efficient scientists of the Organization. The launch pad and the control centre will stand witness to the work of this less known community tomorrow when one of their product takes to sky all their work and dedication. Agni 3 will be propelled to the skies from the ITR at around noon tomorrow as part of the user trial by the SFC.

         Agni III is a successor to the Agni II, the Agni III has an range of over 3500 KM.  The missile can carry 250 kiloton nuclear warheads which can cause ten times the destruction caused in Hiroshima. Agni III is one of the most reliable long range ballistic missile co-developed by DRDO and BDL. Agni III was designed specially strike enemy positions with a high degree of accuracy, which was way higher than the accuracy available in the other Agni variants. Agni III enjoys a CEP around 40 m which is one of the Best accurate missiles in IRBM kind.

       Agni III is SFC's primary nuclear strike missile, the missile can out manoeuvre even the most advanced anti ballistic missile systems. The user trial is being conducted by the SFC and DRDO will only provide any logical support to the campaign. SFC is cleared for launching missiles with nuclear warheads with the due permission of CCS. 

     Agni 3 comes with 2 ton either conventional or thermobaric munitions which is used for conventional warfare purpose and can be deployed anywhere in India using the TEL (Transport Erector Launcher). The missile system is believed to have reached up to 5000 km and is a all weather capable missile system.

The Solid Propellant powering the Agni 3 missile reduces the fuel maintenance and scheduled fuel change. The Agni III is a two stage missile. When the missile is launched from the range, it can attain an altitude of 350 kilometres within 13 minutes during which most of the parabolic path and the distance towards the designated target is completed. 

   The missile then re-enters the atmosphere after a exothermic flight and now travels at a speed of 7km per second the missile temperature shoots up to 3000 deg Celsius at this point most of the alloy materials can be melted, even Aluminum melts at this point, to avoid this the missile is developed by special material.

       Even the re-entry modules were developed by composite materials which can withstand more than 6000 degree Celsius, 

     The missile is guided by Inertial Navigation system that uses the GPS coordinates, after completion of IRNSS Navigation the system will follow IRNSS based co ordinates, currently India relies on the US system and if these systems are not provided to India by US the missile will be left without a reliable guidance system. The missile will then have to rely only on Radio frequency based terminal guidance which is not a reliable method and cannot guide the missile to the designated location.

       A submarine launch able variant of the Agni III was also developed by the DRDO. The first Test of Agni 3 which was carried out during 2006 had failed prove the reliability of the system after the missile plunged to the sea soon after liftoff. But DRDO has learns a lot from this test and has carried out three successful tests, which gives the Operational readiness of the Missile and is ready to be transferred to SFC.





         It was reported in 2011 that Agni 3 was inducted into SFC and was deployed in launch mode. SFC has conducted two user trials and both these tests have turned out to huge success. 

Agni 3 in TEL

50kg Therombaric Explosion

 Editor Karthik Kakoor