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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Pak has 60 N-bombs, adding more’</b>
pioneer.com
S Rajagopalan | Washington
A new report from the US Congressional Research Service says that Pakistan, with 60 nuclear warheads in its arsenal, continues fissile material production for weapons and is adding to its weapons production facilities and delivery vehicles.

The report, circulated to lawmakers, is in line with US military chief Mike Mullen’s recent confirmation during a classified briefing about evidence that Islamabad was expanding its nuclear arsenal.

<b>“Pakistan’s nuclear warheads use an implosion design with a solid core of highly enriched uranium (HEU), approximately 15-20 kg per warhead. Islamabad reportedly continues to produce highly-enriched uranium for weapons at a rate of at least 100 kg per year,”</b> it says.

Since the 1990s, Pakistan has also pursued plutonium-based warheads and continues to produce plutonium for weapons with assistance from China, the report says and points out that the 40-50 megawatt heavy water Khushab plutonium production reactor has been operating since 1998.

“It appears that Islamabad is constructing two additional heavy water reactors, which will expand considerably Pakistan’s plutonium production capacity, at the same site. The continued expansion of the complex and production of weapons materials could indicate plans to increase its nuclear weapons arsenal in the near future,” says the report, put together by non-proliferation analysts Paul K Kerr and Mary Beth Nikitin.

Pakistan has two types of delivery vehicles for nuclear weapons: aircraft controlled by the Pakistan Air Force and surface-to-surface missiles controlled by the Pakistan Army.

<b>“Pakistan could deliver its nuclear weapons using F-16s purchased from the United States, provided modifications are made,” the report says, adding: “It is widely believed that Pakistan has made modifications to the F-16s previously sold to them.”</b>

Although concerns have been raised about the impact of these sales on the strategic balance in South Asia, the US Government maintains that the sale of additional F-16s to Pakistan will not alter the regional balance of power.

The contract for provision of an additional 36 aircraft was signed on September 30, 2006, as was the contract for the weapons for those aircraft and a contract to perform the mid-life upgrade on Pakistan’s F-16A/B model aircraft.

“Pakistan’s F-16 fleet will therefore be expanded, but it is unclear what portion of the fleet will be capable of a nuclear mission. Mirage III and V aircraft could also be used, although would have limited range. A-5s may have been modified to carry a nuclear payload,” the report says.
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