![]() India’s diversification of second-strike capabilities and the increased ranges on missile systems are aimed primarily at China - and the latter has taken note. Subsequently, the submarines will be armed with K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles that have a range of 3,500 kilometers (these missiles are currently under development). These submarines will be armed with the K-15 submarine-launched ballistic missile (750 kilometer range) and are intended to increase the survivability of Indian nuclear forces. ![]() Meanwhile, apart from the Arihant, India will deploy three more nuclear submarines by 2024. The rail-mobile Agni II ballistic missiles are likely aimed at targets in western, central, and southern China. To do this, India has deployed its first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arihant, as well as road- and rail-mobile ballistic missile launch systems. It just needs to make sure that its nuclear weapons systems are well dispersed and survivable. This doctrine means that as long as India has a secure-second-strike capability - that is, the capability to absorb a nuclear first strike on its soil and then retaliate using its remaining nuclear forces - it will not need to build a large arsenal of nuclear weapons. It has pledged not to use its nuclear weapons first as a part of a no first use policy. This is because India’s nuclear relationship with China rests on its survivable second-strike nuclear doctrine. While the counterforce missiles and short-range nuclear delivery systems are aimed at Pakistan, India’s nuclear relationship with China will continue to be based on ensuring a secure second-strike capability.ĭespite the continuing military engagements along the Line of Actual Control, the Sino-Indian nuclear relationship remains stable. India will continue to modernize its nuclear arsenal with new counterforce nuclear delivery systems and to test multiple independently targeted re-entry ballistic missiles, which will allow it to manage its nuclear relationship with both nations. It has two nuclear-armed adversaries to consider, and its focus will remain on Pakistan. India has been cautious in its nuclear relationship with China and is unlikely to have a dramatic response to the new missile silos at the moment. An increase in Chinese nuclear capabilities in this context has the potential to destabilize the region and spark a nuclear arms race. High-level military talks between the two nuclear states remain deadlocked, with regular hostilities at different points along the 3,488-kilometer Line of Actual Control. This led to a heightened state of tensions and a war scare between the two countries. In June 2020, in the deadliest clash between the two countries in 45 years, more than 20 soldiers were killed in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh. ![]() In August 2021, over a hundred soldiers from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army crossed over to the Indian side of the border and damaged a bridge and other infrastructure before retreating. Moreover, China and India continue to engage in hostilities in the Himalayas. However, with the new missile silos and fears of an increase in Chinese nuclear warheads, the strategic asymmetry in the Sino-Indian nuclear relationship may become more stark. China, meanwhile, is estimated to have its nuclear weapons stockpile of 350 nuclear warheads deployed across different platforms. While the United States has a much larger nuclear force than China - with 3,750 nuclear warheads in its nuclear weapons stockpile compared to China’s 350 warheads - it will still likely take a forceful response to China’s latest nuclear developments.īut how will India - China’s other nuclear armed adversary - react to Beijing’s new missile silos? India has a nuclear triad and is reported to have 150 nuclear warheads deployed on different air-, sea-, and land-based platforms. nuclear modernization efforts on Capitol Hill. The head of Strategic Command called the developments “ breathtaking,” and the news is sure to embolden efforts to fund U.S. The news sent shockwaves through Washington. With the new silos, China could potentially double the size of its arsenal of intercontinental ballistic missiles. analysts using commercial satellite imagery discovered that China was significantly expanding its nuclear forces and building hundreds of new missile silos.
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