Global Security Newswire

India this week assessed its progress toward meeting the goal of fielding the so-called nuclear triad -- a deterrent with sea-, air- and land-based strike capabilities, the Times of India reported (see GSN, Nov. 1, 2010).

The high-level meeting convened on Monday by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was "not just a general security review" but an in-depth Nuclear Command Authority session to examine what actions have been pursued to link and improve the South Asian nation's "minimum but credible nuclear deterrence," insiders said.

New Delhi first announced it was pursuing a nuclear triad comprised of land-based ballistic missiles, bomber aircraft and naval vessels after its nuclear weapons tests in 1998.

Two key "strategic programs" that are behind schedule are the long-range Agni 5 ballistic missile, which is intended to have a flight range of more than 3,000 miles (see GSN, March 28), and the country's first ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arihant (see GSN, Dec. 3 2010). Those two efforts were reported to have been the focus of much of Monday's meeting on "overarching strategic issues."

The Agni 5 is scheduled to be test-launched sometime in 2011. The ballistic missile submarine is anticipated to leave dock for "harbor and sea trials" when its light-water reactor achieves "full criticality."

India's military hopes to see the submarine, loaded with 12 nuclear-armed missiles, begin operations no later than 2012. Submarines are highly valued nuclear platforms as their movements are harder to track and they can provide a second-strike capability in the event an attack on India destroys its land-based nuclear forces.

The meeting occurred amid continued indications that Pakistan, India's nuclear-armed neighbor and rival, is ramping up its own deterrent. Recent analyses have indicated that Islamabad might hold more than 110 fielded nuclear weapons and is rushing forward with construction of a fourth plutonium-producing reactor at its Khushab site (see GSN, May 16). Pakistan also last month tested a short-range missile that could carry nuclear warheads (see GSN, April 29).

Participating in Monday's nuclear forces assessment with Singh were India's defense minister and national security adviser, the head of the Defense Research and Development Organization, and the leaders of the nation's army, navy and air force (Rajat Pandit, Times of India, May 17).

India's nuclear arsenal is currently comprised of between 60 and 80 warheads that can be carried by Agni 2 and Agni 3 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and nuclear bombers, RIA Novosti reported (RIA Novosti, May 17).