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MIRV: a nuclear game-changer for India and China
The Mk21 reentry vehicles seen on a Peacekeeper MIRV bus. (Photo courtesy of DOD)
Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, or MIRVs, on Chinese and Indian ballistic missiles potentially pose a more serious threat to the world than the nuclear programs of Iran or North Korea, writes Zachary Keck, the managing editor of Washington-based National Interest magazine in an article published Dec. 19.
MIRVs allow Chinese and Indian missiles to carry payloads of several nuclear warheads, Keck wrote, each of which can be directed at different targets. This allows the warheads to be less vulnerable to anti-ballistic missile systems.
A single missile containing a MIRV system can be used to eliminate numerous enemy nuclear sites simultaneously using only a small portion of a country's missile force. Second, the kill probability can be increased since the MIRV system allows multiple strikes on the same target.
After the US deployed its first missiles with MIRV systems in 1968, the Soviet Union increased its number of nuclear warheads from 10,000 to 25,000 and later deployed its own missiles with MIRV systems. China and India have previously maintained nuclear doctrines of minimum deterrence and no-first use. Yet now, with the introduction of MIRV systems, the author said that the size of those two nations's nuclear forces will expand.
While India's MIRV systems pose an immediate threat to Pakistan, the article said China can pose a similar danger to Russia. Russia possesses a larger nuclear arsenal but China is increasing its own stockpile year on year. To prevent its nuclear superiority from eroding, Moscow must abrogate its arms control treaties with the United States, Keck wrote.
MIRV: a nuclear game-changer for India and China｜Politics｜News｜WantChinaTimes.com
- Staff Reporter
- 2014-12-28
- 10:48 (GMT+8)
The Mk21 reentry vehicles seen on a Peacekeeper MIRV bus. (Photo courtesy of DOD)
Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, or MIRVs, on Chinese and Indian ballistic missiles potentially pose a more serious threat to the world than the nuclear programs of Iran or North Korea, writes Zachary Keck, the managing editor of Washington-based National Interest magazine in an article published Dec. 19.
MIRVs allow Chinese and Indian missiles to carry payloads of several nuclear warheads, Keck wrote, each of which can be directed at different targets. This allows the warheads to be less vulnerable to anti-ballistic missile systems.
A single missile containing a MIRV system can be used to eliminate numerous enemy nuclear sites simultaneously using only a small portion of a country's missile force. Second, the kill probability can be increased since the MIRV system allows multiple strikes on the same target.
After the US deployed its first missiles with MIRV systems in 1968, the Soviet Union increased its number of nuclear warheads from 10,000 to 25,000 and later deployed its own missiles with MIRV systems. China and India have previously maintained nuclear doctrines of minimum deterrence and no-first use. Yet now, with the introduction of MIRV systems, the author said that the size of those two nations's nuclear forces will expand.
While India's MIRV systems pose an immediate threat to Pakistan, the article said China can pose a similar danger to Russia. Russia possesses a larger nuclear arsenal but China is increasing its own stockpile year on year. To prevent its nuclear superiority from eroding, Moscow must abrogate its arms control treaties with the United States, Keck wrote.
MIRV: a nuclear game-changer for India and China｜Politics｜News｜WantChinaTimes.com
