Nuclear Disarmament
Resource Updates January 4
Database Launch November 2

India

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Non NPT States with Nuclear Weapons

  1. Estimated Arsenal Size:
    40-50 warheads.
    Possibly capable of building thermonuclear weapons.

    Key Delivery System:

    • Land-based ballistic missiles.
    • Air-delivered weapons.
    • Sea-based surface-launched ballistic missile.

    If deployed, India would most likely use the Prithvi I road-mobile SRBM and/or the MiG-27 or the Jaguar aircrafts.
    No information available about non-strategic weapons.

  2. Estimated Destructive Power:
    Fission weapons: 800 Kt ~ 1000 Kt.
    The yield of the 1998 thermonuclear test was estimated to be in the range of 12-25 Kt, as opposed to the 43-60 Kt yield stated by India.

  3. Military Fissile Material Stockpiles (estimated)
    Plutonium: 0.52 mt
    HEU: 0.2 mt

  4. Disarmament and Commitments to Reduce Arsenal Size:
    Opposed to signing the NPT, due to its discriminatory nature.
    Pledges to assume a "leadership role" in working towards universal nuclear disarmament and the goal of a nuclear-weapons-free world.

    Future Commitment
    In support of a non-discriminatory, verifiable FMCT. The treaty should not cover existing stockpiles.


  5. Nuclear Weapons Related Policies

    1. Nuclear testing policy:
    • Observed nuclear testing moratorium since May 1998.
    • Party to Partial Test Ban Treaty (banning atmosphere, in outer space, and under water test).
    • Opposed to signing CTBT.

    2. Use of Nuclear Weapons:
    • Pledges not to be first to use nuclear weapons. Retaliation only policy, based on a minimum credible deterrent.


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CNSThis material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2007 by MIIS.

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