The fanfare was nonexistent. The government made no big statement. No newsworthy stories. However, at some point between last year and this one, india subtly gained an advantage in a race in which it has long participated but which is rarely discussed in public.
India is thought to possess more nuclear warheads than pakistan for the first time.
India currently possesses about 180 nuclear weapons, according to statistics collected by international academics who keep an eye on world armaments. Compared to the previous year, that is roughly eight more. pakistan, however, has remained stable at 170.
On paper, this modification might not seem like much, but it has significant implications. Due to ceasefires, wars, and mutual deterrence, both nations have been walking a tightrope for decades. While they certainly convey a story, numbers by themselves do not determine strategy. This silent leap is the result of a change in the type of missiles that india is producing.
Indian scientists have been developing something fresher, lighter, faster, and more able to remain hidden until it is needed in testing fields and labs that are out of the public eye.
The Agni-P and Agni-5, two of India's long-range strike options, are the most recent additions. They can move around, are more difficult to spot, and are made to be stored with warheads already attached and prepared to fire at any time.
The Agni-5 is one that extends India's reach well beyond the subcontinent. It is said to have a range of almost 5,000 kilometers, which includes northern Africa, parts of Europe, and far into Asia. Furthermore, it might soon be able to carry what are known as multiple warheads on a single missile (MIRVs), which are missiles with numerous warheads that are designed to strike distinct targets.
It is uncommon to find such a system. This technology is mostly found in the arsenals of china, russia, and the United States.
Officials have not yet verified if the Agni-5 with the MIRV is entirely functional, but new tests indicate india is getting closer. And that advancement might provide indian strategic forces with a significant advantage in complexity as well as range. Any enemy attempting to intercept them may now expect several inbound threats from a single launch.
Not less significant is the Agni-P, which is made for shorter distances. Its ability to be moved and fired fast sets it apart from the older types it is intended to replace.
These missiles can be moved across highways in sealed canisters without anyone noticing what's inside. More important than numbers is survivability in terms of second-strike capabilities.
Amidst all of this, china has been growing at a rate that has drawn attention from all over the world. China's estimated inventory of nuclear warheads has increased from 500 last year to 600 in just 12 months. Additionally, it might catch up to the US or russia in the number of long-range missiles it fields in ten years if construction proceeds at its current rate across deserts and isolated mountain regions.
In the meantime, pakistan has concentrated on improving battlefield-range weapons such as the Ababeel and Nasr. However, as of right now, its nuclear count seems to be unaltered.
India's investments indicate a clear intention to be ready for changing threats, even though its nuclear policy is still focused on credible minimum deterrence. Having sufficient firepower is meant to be used for retaliation, never for initiating an attack.
The numbers are still low for now. However, with outdated agreements about to expire and no new treaties in the works, the region might be moving into a new phase that is more influenced by quiet preparation than by conflict.
India is thought to possess more nuclear warheads than pakistan for the first time.
India currently possesses about 180 nuclear weapons, according to statistics collected by international academics who keep an eye on world armaments. Compared to the previous year, that is roughly eight more. pakistan, however, has remained stable at 170.
On paper, this modification might not seem like much, but it has significant implications. Due to ceasefires, wars, and mutual deterrence, both nations have been walking a tightrope for decades. While they certainly convey a story, numbers by themselves do not determine strategy. This silent leap is the result of a change in the type of missiles that india is producing.
Indian scientists have been developing something fresher, lighter, faster, and more able to remain hidden until it is needed in testing fields and labs that are out of the public eye.
The Agni-P and Agni-5, two of India's long-range strike options, are the most recent additions. They can move around, are more difficult to spot, and are made to be stored with warheads already attached and prepared to fire at any time.
The Agni-5 is one that extends India's reach well beyond the subcontinent. It is said to have a range of almost 5,000 kilometers, which includes northern Africa, parts of Europe, and far into Asia. Furthermore, it might soon be able to carry what are known as multiple warheads on a single missile (MIRVs), which are missiles with numerous warheads that are designed to strike distinct targets.
It is uncommon to find such a system. This technology is mostly found in the arsenals of china, russia, and the United States.
Officials have not yet verified if the Agni-5 with the MIRV is entirely functional, but new tests indicate india is getting closer. And that advancement might provide indian strategic forces with a significant advantage in complexity as well as range. Any enemy attempting to intercept them may now expect several inbound threats from a single launch.
Not less significant is the Agni-P, which is made for shorter distances. Its ability to be moved and fired fast sets it apart from the older types it is intended to replace.
These missiles can be moved across highways in sealed canisters without anyone noticing what's inside. More important than numbers is survivability in terms of second-strike capabilities.
Amidst all of this, china has been growing at a rate that has drawn attention from all over the world. China's estimated inventory of nuclear warheads has increased from 500 last year to 600 in just 12 months. Additionally, it might catch up to the US or russia in the number of long-range missiles it fields in ten years if construction proceeds at its current rate across deserts and isolated mountain regions.
In the meantime, pakistan has concentrated on improving battlefield-range weapons such as the Ababeel and Nasr. However, as of right now, its nuclear count seems to be unaltered.
India's investments indicate a clear intention to be ready for changing threats, even though its nuclear policy is still focused on credible minimum deterrence. Having sufficient firepower is meant to be used for retaliation, never for initiating an attack.
The numbers are still low for now. However, with outdated agreements about to expire and no new treaties in the works, the region might be moving into a new phase that is more influenced by quiet preparation than by conflict.
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