Moot a no-first-use agreement

With its recent tests, India has demonstrated its capability to design a whole range of nuclear bombs qualifying it to become a member of Nu...

With its recent tests, India has demonstrated its capability to design a whole range of nuclear bombs qualifying it to become a member of Nuclear-weapon power states from a member of the nuclear club.

The dust of three blast was still settling down when the world was taken by another surprise when India conducted two more underground simultaneous nuclear devices to generate additional data for improved computer simulation of designs and for attaining the capabilities to carry out sub-critical experiments, if considered necessary.

India has become a real nuclear power by exploding hydrogen device of a fusion 8211; fission 8211; fusion combination.

This achievement has been attained only by a few countries, including USA and Russia so far. We did need a deterrent because our neighbours China-Pakistan were amassing missiles and nuclear technology unabated.What is required for India is to test its nuclear war heads. It has to stockpile couple of strategic nuclear bombs that is hydrogen bombs and make a few tactical nuclear war heads that can be fitted on to Prithvi and Agni missiles. Even smaller warheads that can be used in the heavy and medium artillery should be stockpiled which may have to be used as tactical nuclear device which cannot escalate a mass destruction. These war heads should be kept as deterrents only. The two sub-kiloton nuclear devices are not only military specific, but also marks a significant technological leap as it now provides the armed forces with the choice of having a wide array of lethal tactical nuclear weapons arsenal.

The testing of sub KT 8211; less than 1000 kg 8211; devices has demonstrated India8217;s capability to miniature nuclear bombs, thus providing for both greater flexibility and capability for the manufacture of the arsenal ranging from 500 kg to 1,000 kg nuclear war heads for Prithvi and Agni missiles, nuclear-tipped precision guidance munitions PGMs for fighter aircraft, nuclear tipped artillery shells for Army, specialised demolition devices for use by the special forces and submarine launch missiles.

India can now and should manufacture N-weapons meant for specified targets both within and outside the battle zone. Su-30 fighter aircraft can make a drop from 80 km distance on vital enemy targets within a limited but effective damage within seconds. The use of tactical weapons also reduces the radio-active zone. Under the circumstances, India should invite a summit of Asian countries where Russia, China and Pakistan should be invited. These countries should agree to sign an agreement of no-first-use of nuclear weapons.
The author, who is a former infantry officer, is a defence analyst and commentator.

Return to the top of the page