03-03-2010, 10:11 PM
[quote name='Arun_S' date='11 December 2009 - 09:44 AM' timestamp='1260552972' post='102909']
After the current fault is fixed, more tests are required to further increase reliability and shake out other bugs that may be lurking. It is true for all strategic missiles, including A2, A3, Shaurya, AAD and PAD (including it final avatar that is not Prithvi based).
Shying away from rapid testing as these missiles enter IOC is serious disservice to India, IMHO intense flight testing regime is critical for these missile to be of real value to national defense.
[/quote]
Arun_S,
Given the failures of the latest A-2 tests and the fact that the A-3 is for all practical purposes still undergoing testing and a good 5 years away from any serious induction, what does one have to say about the present state of India's strategic arsenal?
It appears that the only systems (delivery+weapon) that can be counted to work are the Prithvi's and a few fighter squadrons armed with 20KT fission weapons. Some estimates say that the Indian SFC has about 2 dozen A-2's, whose credibility is pretty much now under the cloud.
Given the fact that the Agni program started around 2 decades ago, the A-2 was launched in 1999, and of course....., one musn't forget the RC's POK-II "miracle", this is indeed cause for some serious alarm!
After the current fault is fixed, more tests are required to further increase reliability and shake out other bugs that may be lurking. It is true for all strategic missiles, including A2, A3, Shaurya, AAD and PAD (including it final avatar that is not Prithvi based).
Shying away from rapid testing as these missiles enter IOC is serious disservice to India, IMHO intense flight testing regime is critical for these missile to be of real value to national defense.
[/quote]
Arun_S,
Given the failures of the latest A-2 tests and the fact that the A-3 is for all practical purposes still undergoing testing and a good 5 years away from any serious induction, what does one have to say about the present state of India's strategic arsenal?
It appears that the only systems (delivery+weapon) that can be counted to work are the Prithvi's and a few fighter squadrons armed with 20KT fission weapons. Some estimates say that the Indian SFC has about 2 dozen A-2's, whose credibility is pretty much now under the cloud.
Given the fact that the Agni program started around 2 decades ago, the A-2 was launched in 1999, and of course....., one musn't forget the RC's POK-II "miracle", this is indeed cause for some serious alarm!