rkjindal91
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Short-range nukes show Pak targeting
Indian forces: Expert May 29, 2011, 12.46am IST TNN [ Sachin Parashar ] NEW DELHI: Pakistans recent testing of NASR or
Hatf-9 short range missile,
coupled with its rapidly
growing stockpile of low-
intensity nuclear weapons,
suggests that it is actually preparing to cross the
nuclear threshold in case of
a conflict with India. One of worlds most authoritative voices on
Pakistans nuclear strength and American nuclear
expert Hans Kristensen told
TOI that a nuclear-tipped
NASR seemed more like a weapon intended for use against Indian
forces advancing into Pakistani territory. While that wouldn't threaten Indian survival in itself, it would of course mean
crossing the nuclear threshold early in a
conflict, which is one of the particular
concerns of a short-range nuclear
weapon, said Kristensen, who is also Federation of American Scientists Nuclear Information Project director. While the 60-km short range of the
nuclear capable missile doesnt threaten the security of any major Indian city, it
certainly makes the Indian army and
security forces vulnerable in case India
does try to implement its much talked
about Cold Start Doctrine, which entails
making deep and precise incursions into Pakistani territory in the event of another
Mumbai-like attack. Pakistan clearly
seems to be raising the game considering
that India will indeed be under pressure
to destroy terror camps in Pakistan in the
event of another state sponsored terror attack on India. A NASR would have to drive all the way up to the Indian border to be able to
reach important targets in India.
Amritsar would be one candidate, as
would several smaller cities along the
border. But that would also expose the
missile to counter attack, Kristensen said as he emphasized that with its range
of only 60 kilometres, the multi-tube
NASR system is not intended to retaliate
against Indian cities but be used first
against advancing Indian Army in a
battlefield scenario. Kristensen had earlier described
Pakistans production of Hatf-9 as a worrisome development for South Asia
and for efforts to prevent nuclear
weapons from being used. He said it was
time for Pakistan to explain how many
nuclear weapons, of what kind, and for
what purpose are needed for its minimum deterrent. Pakistan announced
earlier that NASR carries nuclear warheads of appropriate yield with high
accuracy, shoot-and-scoot attributes and that it was developed as a quick response
system to add deterrence value to
Pakistans nuclear weapons. According to Kristensen though, the talk
about Pakistan surpassing France in
terms of the strength of its nuclear
arsenal is a decade or two ahead. Pakistans nuclear arsenal is not equal to the number of warheads that could
potentially be produced by all the highly-
enriched uranium and plutonium Pakistan
might have produced. The size also
depends on other factors such as the
number of delivery vehicles and other limitations, he said.
Indian forces: Expert May 29, 2011, 12.46am IST TNN [ Sachin Parashar ] NEW DELHI: Pakistans recent testing of NASR or
Hatf-9 short range missile,
coupled with its rapidly
growing stockpile of low-
intensity nuclear weapons,
suggests that it is actually preparing to cross the
nuclear threshold in case of
a conflict with India. One of worlds most authoritative voices on
Pakistans nuclear strength and American nuclear
expert Hans Kristensen told
TOI that a nuclear-tipped
NASR seemed more like a weapon intended for use against Indian
forces advancing into Pakistani territory. While that wouldn't threaten Indian survival in itself, it would of course mean
crossing the nuclear threshold early in a
conflict, which is one of the particular
concerns of a short-range nuclear
weapon, said Kristensen, who is also Federation of American Scientists Nuclear Information Project director. While the 60-km short range of the
nuclear capable missile doesnt threaten the security of any major Indian city, it
certainly makes the Indian army and
security forces vulnerable in case India
does try to implement its much talked
about Cold Start Doctrine, which entails
making deep and precise incursions into Pakistani territory in the event of another
Mumbai-like attack. Pakistan clearly
seems to be raising the game considering
that India will indeed be under pressure
to destroy terror camps in Pakistan in the
event of another state sponsored terror attack on India. A NASR would have to drive all the way up to the Indian border to be able to
reach important targets in India.
Amritsar would be one candidate, as
would several smaller cities along the
border. But that would also expose the
missile to counter attack, Kristensen said as he emphasized that with its range
of only 60 kilometres, the multi-tube
NASR system is not intended to retaliate
against Indian cities but be used first
against advancing Indian Army in a
battlefield scenario. Kristensen had earlier described
Pakistans production of Hatf-9 as a worrisome development for South Asia
and for efforts to prevent nuclear
weapons from being used. He said it was
time for Pakistan to explain how many
nuclear weapons, of what kind, and for
what purpose are needed for its minimum deterrent. Pakistan announced
earlier that NASR carries nuclear warheads of appropriate yield with high
accuracy, shoot-and-scoot attributes and that it was developed as a quick response
system to add deterrence value to
Pakistans nuclear weapons. According to Kristensen though, the talk
about Pakistan surpassing France in
terms of the strength of its nuclear
arsenal is a decade or two ahead. Pakistans nuclear arsenal is not equal to the number of warheads that could
potentially be produced by all the highly-
enriched uranium and plutonium Pakistan
might have produced. The size also
depends on other factors such as the
number of delivery vehicles and other limitations, he said.
