The world is entering the Third Nuclear Age characterised by heightened nuclear tensions and the development of the concept of non-strategic nuclear weapons and strategic non-nuclear weapons, says Brig Arun Sahgal of the Forum for Strategic Initiatives, a Delhi-based think tank.
In a conversation on The Gist, Sahgal pointed out that in the case of strategic nuclear weapons, “We saw hypersonic weapons destroying deeply buried targets of the Ukrainians, actually a uranium processing plant .. and we saw strategic non-nuclear weapons being used by US B-2 bombers on Iran’s nuclear sites.”
India, too he said, used a strategic non-nuclear weapon to strike a presumed Pakistani nuclear command and control centre during Operation Sindoor. Pakistan is already raising concern about India’s plan to develop a “bunker buster” warhead of 7.5 tons, that will be mounted on an Agni-5 missile.
Sahgal says there is a clear shift in nuclear posturing towards “near nuclear use”, and it is happening at a time when every nuclear-armed power is upgrading its arsenal. They plan to increase the number of nuclear weapons from 500 to 1500 with an eye on developing counter strike capabilities using space-based assets for pinpoint accuracy.
“The Chinese leadership believes that precision strike capabilities and missile defences could create a situation where a nuclear second strike could get degraded, meaning a second strike could get intercepted before reaching the target.”
Therefore the need to upgrade in terms of numbers, technology and precision. This is also happening at a time when the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty expires in February next year. Once that goes, there will be no limit on deployment of any kind of cruise missiles in any theatre.
There was a move during the Trump-Putin talks in Anchorage, Alaska over the weekend, to have a discussion and extend the treaty but the time was too short. In any case, the Chinese were not interested as they have argued that they are not strong enough in nuclear weapons at this point to join any conversation on reducing nukes.
Tune in for more in this conversation with Brig Arun Sahgal of the Forum for Strategic Initiatives.
Thirty eight years in journalism, widely travelled, history buff with a preference for Old Monk Rum. Current interest/focus spans China, Technology and Trade. Recent reads: Steven Colls Directorate S and Alexander Frater's Chasing the Monsoon. Netflix/Prime video junkie. Loves animal videos on Facebook. Reluctant tweeter.
