Bussard Ramjet
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As for my judgement on the nuclear tests.
We know what is the official narrative. The official narrative is that in 1998 there were multiple nukes tested, with one of them being a thermonuclear warhead with a yield of 56 kt. These narrative is also that India has multiple deliverable warheads with yield as high as 200 kt.
But then again this is whole official narrative, which some people can argue is deliberately overstated to create deterrence. This reasoning doesn't seem to be unfair, and is justified.
What we do know is that India did tests, and the yields were definitely above 20 kt.
The questions than linger, that what is the reason that India chose to do a test of 56 kt of a thermonuclear warhead, when such yields can be derived from fission weapons as well. The test was for deterrence, and wouldn't it have been better to show the true power of thermonuclear weapons by perhaps a Mt yield.
I though have no doubt that thermonuclear weapons would be available in Indian arsenal, as it is not a particularly tough technology for a country as large as India.
I also have serious reservations about the claim that the 1998 tests were "perfect" and ""thermonuclear". They have to be either one of them, because it makes no sense to show deterrence with a thermonuclear warhead which produces as much yield as a fission device, and can be easily mistaken as one. The whole point of the tests were to show our capabilities and deterrence.
What I think is that perhaps the test was a bit of a fizzle, but India didn't get chance to test again, as it is a geopolitical nightmare to continue to test devices. I am sure that in the event of a conflict, or given India has the chance of testing few more times, it will be able to produce a 100 kt weapon.
Also, generally I refrain from commenting about any capabilities that have been tested, but nuclear weapons are totally different thing. Nukes evoke a very fearful and visceral response from the International community, particularly since the tests have largely been discontinued. Hence, no country wants to test them. For example Israel hasn't tested them as well but is confirmed to possess weapons.
We know what is the official narrative. The official narrative is that in 1998 there were multiple nukes tested, with one of them being a thermonuclear warhead with a yield of 56 kt. These narrative is also that India has multiple deliverable warheads with yield as high as 200 kt.
But then again this is whole official narrative, which some people can argue is deliberately overstated to create deterrence. This reasoning doesn't seem to be unfair, and is justified.
What we do know is that India did tests, and the yields were definitely above 20 kt.
The questions than linger, that what is the reason that India chose to do a test of 56 kt of a thermonuclear warhead, when such yields can be derived from fission weapons as well. The test was for deterrence, and wouldn't it have been better to show the true power of thermonuclear weapons by perhaps a Mt yield.
I though have no doubt that thermonuclear weapons would be available in Indian arsenal, as it is not a particularly tough technology for a country as large as India.
I also have serious reservations about the claim that the 1998 tests were "perfect" and ""thermonuclear". They have to be either one of them, because it makes no sense to show deterrence with a thermonuclear warhead which produces as much yield as a fission device, and can be easily mistaken as one. The whole point of the tests were to show our capabilities and deterrence.
What I think is that perhaps the test was a bit of a fizzle, but India didn't get chance to test again, as it is a geopolitical nightmare to continue to test devices. I am sure that in the event of a conflict, or given India has the chance of testing few more times, it will be able to produce a 100 kt weapon.
Also, generally I refrain from commenting about any capabilities that have been tested, but nuclear weapons are totally different thing. Nukes evoke a very fearful and visceral response from the International community, particularly since the tests have largely been discontinued. Hence, no country wants to test them. For example Israel hasn't tested them as well but is confirmed to possess weapons.