Nuclear Deterrence

[Arun_S]

Indian deterrence (medium and high yield) requires large qty of WgPu and Supergrade Pu.



Lacking ability to field Thermo nukes the lack of CIRUS and and reprocessign capacity is even more appalling.



In my language medium yield is ~ 25-50 kt and high yield is 150-300 kt.

[Guest]

[quote name='Arun_S' date='20 February 2011 - 10:25 PM' timestamp='1298261823' post='110860']

Indian deterrence (medium and high yield) requires large qty of WgPu and Supergrade Pu.



Lacking ability to field Thermo nukes the lack of CIRUS and and reprocessign capacity is even more appalling.



In my language medium yield is ~ 25-50 kt and high yield is 150-300 kt.

[/quote]



1. This is why, as BK indicates, some fraction of the PHWR power has been used for WGPu production in low burn mode. I think the bottleneck here is really regarding reprocessing. You have said earlier that 40% of reprocessing capacity used for this is a good estimate. Do you mean 40% * Capacity factor or 40% itself ?



2. BK book of course, indicates higher WGPu production than any NPA estimate. Reprocessing will be less of a constraint once PFBR comes online, with axial and radial blankets being used for this. Spent fuel from pfbr has much higher Pu content/THM.



3. It still makes sense to have some corrected (even if untested) TNs in the mix. A future govt. can then break out of this self-imposed logjam by testing.



4. You also said some days back that RGPu plays a key role in our deterrent (non low yield). Maybe for medium yield FBFs ? I read that boosting enables porduction of reliable wpns with RGPu. Of course, not deployable on Submarines, but land based is another matter.



5. Hope reprocessing capacity is further increased rapidly. Srikumar Banerjee says there will be 3*500 thm/pa lines by 2020. That will be good. If there is no unwanted interference, that will be the time frame by which deterrence will be more credible.

[ramana]

Thanks to A_Gupta linking C Fair's articles archives:



Interesting paper:



"Learning to Think the Unthinkable: Lessons from India's Nuclear Test,"



C. Christine Fair, India Review, Vol. 4, No. 1 (January 2005).



I think its interesting for the ref data and not her conclusions which are germane to her employers.



Mrs G was a master of balanced decision making. Hats off.

[Arun_S]

[quote name='ramana' date='28 February 2011 - 01:25 AM' timestamp='1298836020' post='110962']

Thanks to A_Gupta linking C Fair's articles archives:



Interesting paper:



[url="http://home.comcast.net/%7Echristine_fair/pubs/indiantests.pdf"]"Learning to Think the Unthinkable: Lessons from India's Nuclear Test,"[/url]



C. Christine Fair, India Review, Vol. 4, No. 1 (January 2005).



I think its interesting for the ref data and not her conclusions which are germane to her employers.



Mrs G was a master of balanced decision making. Hats off.

[/quote]



Lots of data points that are collated for those who have'nt had time to read, Bharat Karnad, Tellis and Perkovich's books. Useful to align the events/decision on timeline and how the chain progressed.

[Arun_S]

[url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/7550538.cms?prtpage=1"]BARC Vizag unit in 5 years[/url]

TNN | Feb 22, 2011, 11.55pm IST VISAKHAPATNAM: The new unit of the Baba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Visakha district, which is three times bigger than the one at [url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=Trombay"]Trombay[/url] ( [url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Mumbai"]Mumbai[/url]), will become [url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=operational"]operational[/url] in five years.



Delivering the address at the Nucar-2011 (Nuclear and radiochemistry) meet here on Tuesay, Prof P Rama Rao, chairman of Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) in the department of automic energy, said the new BARC research centre in Visakhapatnam would be a suitable place to train the required manpower for the nuclear sector.



He stressed the importance of trained and efficient human resource for making the country's nuclear programmes successful. He said the universities must follow the practices of reputed universities like Harward University to meet the global standards.



BARC director Prof V Venugopal said initially a core group of scientists would function from the new unit at Vizag. He hoped the new centre would strengthen nuclear research activities.

Looks like as part of seperation plan Trombay is being transplanted near the Arihant factory and lair.



One can only wonder how well R5 and Cirus will be replaced and expanded to meet Indian requirements.

[gangajal1]

Jaswant Singh is quoted by the Hindu (/www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1540640.ece) as saying that while India has 50 to 60 warheads, Pakistan has 100 to 110 warheads.

[Arun_S]

[url="http://www.samachar.com/No-change-in-countrys-nuclear-doctrine-Krishna-ldqrLnjjiei.html"]No change in country's nuclear doctrine: Krishna[/url]

2011-03-16 05:30:00





New Delhi: The government on Wednesday made it clear that there will be no revision of the country's no-first-use nuclear doctrine and said minimum credible deterrence would be maintained in view of threats and challenges.



External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told the Lok Sabha that the government is working to improve relations with immediate neighbours, including Pakistan and China, as also with other countries like the US and Russia.



In his hour-long reply to a debate on the Demands for Grants of his Ministry, he dwelt on various aspects of foreign policy and rejected the notion that India was getting isolated or was a "by-stander" in world affairs, including the evolving situation in West Asia. The Demands were later passed by a voice vote.



He spent some time in praising former external affairs minister Jaswant Singh and responded to the points raised by the senior BJP leader on Tuesday, including the suggestion for revising the no-first-use doctrine in the nuclear policy.



[color="#8b0000"]"Government remains committed in taking effective steps to strengthen India's defence and to maintain credible minimum nuclear deterrence," Krishna said referring to some members' concern over Pakistan's growing nuclear arsenal.

[/color]

"On nuclear doctrine, I would only like to say that there is no change in our policy. We are committed to universal, non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament and we remain

[Guest]

[quote name='Arun_S' date='16 March 2011 - 09:45 AM' timestamp='1300289869' post='111140']

[url="http://www.samachar.com/No-change-in-countrys-nuclear-doctrine-Krishna-ldqrLnjjiei.html"]No change in country's nuclear doctrine: Krishna[/url]

[/quote]





You are quoting a person who does not know the difference between his speech and that of a Portugese minister...He might be blabbering some routine slogans for all you know.

[Guest]

[quote name='Arun_S' date='16 March 2011 - 09:45 AM' timestamp='1300289869' post='111140']

[url="http://www.samachar.com/No-change-in-countrys-nuclear-doctrine-Krishna-ldqrLnjjiei.html"]No change in country's nuclear doctrine: Krishna[/url]

[/quote]





You are quoting a person who does not know the difference between his speech and that of a Portugese minister...He might be blabbering some routine slogans for all you know.

[Arun_S]

[url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12815075"]Malaysia 'may be WMD transit point‎'[/url]

[url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12815075#story_continues_1"][/url]

Malaysia is investigating whether ship cargo seized earlier this month included parts for making Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Malaysian police seized the suspected bomb-making equipment on a ship bound from China to the Middle East.



Malaysia's Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein was quoted as saying Malaysia was a probable transit point, rather than a destination, for the parts.



The government said that the seizure, made in early March, was not the first.



"We are investigating the background of the containers and parts found in the two containers," Mr Hussein was quoted by state news agency Bernama as saying.



"It is to determine whether these are possibly parts to help make weapons of mass destruction or nuclear items," he said.



Police said last week they had asked the country's nuclear agency for a report on the parts seized on the Malaysian-registered ship.



Implications Two containers carrying dismantled equipment were seized at Port Klang, west of the capital Kuala Lumpur, from a ship on its way from China to the Middle East.



Mr Hishammuddin said that if the seized containers were housing parts used for making nuclear weapons, it would have serious implications for the country.



"First, we need some time to identify the equipment and what it could be used for. Only then can we trace the source," he said.



But he said that Malaysia was "likely being used as a transit point and not as a destination point for WMD," according to a report in the Star newspaper.



Malaysian authorities said the parts were among items subject to controlled and restricted sale by the UN Security Council and under international law.



An investigator said the equipment might be for construction sites but if misused could be used to make a bomb.



Last year Malaysia passed a Strategic Trade Bill banning involvement in any trade of restricted items and Prime Minister Najib Razak said the law would be strictly enforced.

[Guest]

http://vpk-news.ru/articles/7319



Interesting article in this link (in Russian). A recent summary of our nuclear capabilities by Konstantin Chuprin.



Salient points:



1. Claims that there are 80-100 Agni 1, 20-25 Agni 2 and 60+ Prithvi-I available as nuke delivery vehicles though some of these may carry conventional warheads.



2. Current stockpile estimated at 100 warheads.



3. Current production capacity estimated at 2 "Average/Medium class" warheads per annum. Note that the Russian term "Medium class/average" means 200-550kt yield. 100kt yield is classified in Russian as small/low power warhead.



4. Agni III range stated as 5500 km...



Comments, Arunji ? 80-100 looks like a sizeable Agni-1 deployment. Especially if the number is increasing further.

[ramana]

Can you or someone do a complete translation of the above article?

[Arun_S]

I had the above article reviewed by friend who is proficient in Russian. Confirmed that the babble-fish translation is quite accurate, and the article is on the dot.



The power output of Arihant is intentionally (and grossly) mis-stated to obfuscate sensitive information.



Note that another independent source is re-confirming the range numbers that estimated in my IRF article on Sagarika

Nuclear-missile panel of the [yuzhnoaziatskogo] giant

// [url="http://66.163.168.225/babelfish/translate_url_content?.intl=us&lp=ru_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fvpk-news.ru%2fauthors%2f1038"]Constantine [Chuprin][/url]

© 2003-2011 “military industrial messenger”

According to the point of 3 articles IX of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty only Russia, USA, Great Britain, France and China are at the international-legal level legitimate members of the so-called nuclear club. Nevertheless today great nuclear power it is possible rightfully to consider India.



In this country they are created developed nuclear energy and the atomic energy industry, which includes all components of nuclear fuel cycle, the armed forces of republic are equipped with nuclear weapon, the building of underwater atomic fleet is begun. In a word, Indian atom serves both the strengthening and advance of forward national economy and guarantee of defense of state.



The rapid progress “rapid” reactors



Their first nuclear test, carried out under the poetic name “smiling himself Buddha”, Hindus declared peaceful; however, not in whom it arose doubts, that India became [obladatelnitsey] “the weapon of apocalypse” (or faster “[Makhabkharaty]”). Officially Delhi reported this almost quarter of a century later, when was in May 1998 realized a series of underground nuclear tests “[Shakti]-98”. Then they exploded five charges, including thermonuclear with power on the order of 40 kilotons. Now production capacities make possible for the country to obtain two “mean statistical” boosted fission weapons per year.



The failure of Delhi to be joined to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, opened for the signing in 1968, led to the prohibitions to the delivery of foreign nuclear technologies. Result? India reached the impressive successes not only in the region of serviceman, but also in the part of the peaceful use of nuclear energy. So the, in the opinion former director of the Los Alamos laboratory (USA) of Sigfried [Kheker], sanction, for example, they contributed so that India entered into the number of world leaders in the sphere of the development “rapid” nuclear reactors - on the fast neutrons. It was necessary to soften the regime of limitations with respect to India - Americans themselves began to lament to the fact that the acting prohibitions prevent their access to the promising operating times of Hindus in nuclear energy.



Today Indian AES yearly produce about three percent of electric power in the country. Certainly, this it is not enough. However, the by 2035 this index it is planned to increase to 10 percent, and by 2050 - to 25. national strategy of the development of nuclear energy of republic determines completely the original three-stage program, which is been based on the idea of closing nuclear fuel cycle. With its creation the presence proven domestic reserving of nuclear raw material was accepted into the attention: not too significant on uranium - 61 thousand tons, then very large (some of the large in the world) on thorium - 225 thousand tons (but according to others data - 360 thousand tons).



[img]file:///C:/Users/Arun/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg[/img]



Andrey [Sedykh]'s collage



First stage of the program of the locked nuclear cycle assumes combustion on the power units with the heavy-water reactors PHWR of natural uranium -238 with the subsequent isolation from the irradiated nuclear fuel of plutonium 239. Heavy-water reactors are more preferable than light-water from the point of view of the operating time of plutonium from natural uranium.



Obtained plutonium must be used as the nuclear fuel in the second step - on the power units with “rapid” reactors. Moreover in “rapid” reactors will be first used oxide uranium fuel-, will after which follow its substitution by metallic fuel - first uranium-plutonium, and then with the load even and thorium.



The mass load of thorium into “rapid” power reactors it is planned to begin by 2050, when the total installed electrical capacity of the equipped by them power units reaches 200 gigawatts. This will make it possible to approach the operating time of uranium -233, which will become the basic fuel of power reactors at the third step of program.



For finalizing of promising nuclear energy technologies Indian atomic scientists created the design of the heavy-water reactor AHWR, designed for the use of thorium. The experience of Indian thorium developments attracts attention of developed countries.



The task of introduction into the system “rapid” reactors with their transfer into the metallic fuel- is urgent from the positions of reaching by India energy independence to the middle of century. Moreover for this it is necessary to still stock up until 2020 abroad the light-water reactors with total installed capacity on the order 40 gigawatts. They (in addition to existing PHWR) will make it possible to produce the sufficiency of plutonium for launching the additional park “rapid” reactors, that also will ensure by 2050 the liquidation of energy-scarcity in the country.



That not speak, program immense and at the same time elegant according to the engineering economic concept.



The prototype of future nuclear energy on the fast neutrons is the Indian demonstration power unit PFBR-500 (with an installed electrical capacity of 500 megawatts), which is built in [Kalpakkame]. Heat-transfer agent of reactor - liquid sodium. As stated on the taken place in Moscow international forum “Of [atomekspo]-2010” the member of commission for atomic energy of republic doctor [Anil] [Kakodkar], “rapid” reactors are developed in India rapidly. In “rapid” reactor PFBR-500 will be used plutonium with the operating time of additional nuclear fuel by irradiating thorium.



It is further, it is more powerful, it is more precise



Mastery of India by nuclear weapon led to the appearance in the system of management of the armed forces of special structure - NCA - Nuclear Of command Of authority (that can be transferred as the administration of nuclear command). This is the not purely military, but military-political organ of state management. NCA is occupied by nuclear planning in the interests of defense, answers for adoption and realization of the solution about the use of nuclear weapons for the repulsion of the external aggression. Heads Nuclear Of command Of authority the prime minister of republic.



The organ of the technical-operational Arms Forces Administration, by the subordinate directly OF NCA and to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the armed forces of India, is the formed in 2003 command of strategic forces (Strategic Of forces Of command - SFC). It achieves a coordination of actions of the nuclear components of ground forces and VVS, been parts SV, equipped with the ballistic missiles of ground-based basing, and by the air squadrons of carrier aircraft of nuclear bombs. In the forseeable future into the sphere of responsibility SFC also will enter the now created sea strategic nuclear forces.



The nuclear arsenal of India is intended for “the restraining”, first of all, of Pakistan and China. At present at the disposal SFC are located being counted in the composition of ground forces two groups of the tactical ballistic missiles OF SS-150 “[Pritkhvi]-1” (rocket it entered into service it in 1994 and has a range of fire of 150 kilometers), on one group of the ballistic missiles of the de facto operational-tactical designation “Of [agni]-1” (is for the first time tested in 1989, the firing distance - 700-800 kilometers) and medium distance “Of [agni]-2” (in arsenal since 2002, 2000-3500 kilometers).



In all India has available 80-100 rockets “[Agni]-1”, 20-25 “[Agni]-2” and is not less than 60 “[Pritkhvi]-1”. They all are expanded on the self-propelled launchers with the Czech tractors “Of [tatra]”. There is information, also, about the appearance of railroad launchers for the rockets “[Agni]-2”, which increases the flexibility of application and the vitality of Indian nuclear-missile forces. However, the part of these rockets is intended for the equipment with conventional warheads, but nuclear charges in peacetime on the carriers are not established and are contained in the special depositories.



Is successfully tested the ballistic intermediate range rocket (5500 kilometers) “Of [agni]-3”, capable of striking, for example, Peking and Shanghai. In the stage of development is located intercontinental ballistic missile “[Agni]-5”. The new medium-range rocket OF SS-250 “[Pritkhvi]-2” (250-350 kilometers) of c[ozdana] for the ground-based missile units VVS, but, possibly, enters also into ground forces. There is a naval version “Of [pritkhvi]-3” (distance - 350 kilometers) class “above-water ship-to-shore”, tested from onboard of patrol ship “[Subkhadra]” and destroyer “They [radzhput]”. True, it is highly improbable, that it will enter into service, in particular, in connection with the fact that on the accuracy of the shooting “Of [dkhanush]” it is inferior to Russian- Indian cruise missile “[BraMos]”.



The Air Force of India as the carriers of nuclear weapon can use 36 French tactical fighters “mirage -2000[N]” and 98 Russian Su-30[MKI]. It is possible that for the application in this quality are prepared the combat aircraft of some other types. But the total number of nuclear charges, accumulated by India, is evaluated at 100 units. Big enough power!



Russian “atearenes” for hire



Completely exceptional moment in the international military technical collaboration became transfer in 1988 to the lease Indian Navy of the Soviet atomic submarine K -43 of project 670, armed by eight cruise missiles “amethyst” of class “underwater boat- ship”. The underwater nuclear-powered ships of this project, known in the West by the name Of charlie-1, in the Soviet fleet were intended for dealing, first of all, with the aircraft carriers and other large ships of enemy.



Boat K -43 was called in the Naval forces of India name “[Chakra]”. For three years Indian seamen mastered the wisdom of control of nuclear-powered ship and its maintenance, after acquiring truly unique experience. Approximately one year “Of [chakra]” it conducted in the distant “auto-butMKah”, it patrolled the expanses of the Indian Ocean, practice rocket firings were achieved.



Through the sections of nuclear-powered submarine “[Chakra]” they passed in the course of their official career several Indian Admirals. Now they occupy dignities in the Naval forces of the country, to a considerable extent determining strategy of their development.



Submarine so was pleased that India requested to prolong the period of its lease and it was not away obtain one additional the same APL. However, Moscow answered by Delhi by failure, and [Chakru]” they in 1991 " returned to Pacific Ocean fleet. However, to it, as newly [obretshey] previous completely [neromantichnoe] name K -43, to for long serve it was not necessary: 1992- m they excluded boat from the lists of the ships the Navies of Russia and they placed on the hitching post in the bay Of [krasheninnikova] in Kamchatka.



However, to Russian- Indian collaboration in the region, connected with the atomic underwater ships, it was judged continue. For the Naval forces of India is intended the constructed in Komsomol'sk-na-Amur multipurpose nuclear-powered submarine K -152 (“seal”) of the project of 971[I]. It relates to a series of Russians “atearene”, named in the West Akula, and - “Pike- B”. Until today nuclear-powered ships of the type “Pike- B” in their class are most perfect from those locating in the system of Russian fleet APL and moreover this some of the lowest-noise atomic submarines in the world. So that Indian Navy rely on very valuable acquisition. As it communicated, the period of the leasing of boat is 10 years. As the inheritance from the previous “Soviet-Indian” atomic submarine “seal” will be called in India the name “[Chakra]”.



We can and themselves…



Today India itself builds submarines with the nuclear power plants. Moreover are created boats not multipurpose, but the strategic designation, intended for inflicting of nuclear missile attacks on the ground-based objects of enemy.



The Defense Ministry of India reported still in 1988 on the intentions to acquire by her own nuclear-powered submarine S -2 within the framework of the realization of ship-building program ATV (Advanced Of technology Of vessel - “the vessel of advanced technology”). It was initially assumed that the discussion deals with the multipurpose atomic submarine, but was in actuality accepted the solution to design the boat, armed by ballistic missiles. Thus republic marked the beginning of sea of component of its nuclear forces.



At present in accordance with the program ATV on the shipyards in [Vishakkhapatname] are built three atomic rocket submarines. The appropriated to head submarine name “[Arikhant]” on Sanskrit indicates “the fighter of enemies”. In July 2009 took place the symbolic ceremony of the descent “Of [arikhanta]” to the water - strictly, boat in this case was located in the plant dock. Officially in the composition of fleet it can be accepted in 2011 or later.



By energy heart “[Arikhanta]” is the water-cooled water-modulated reactor, developed by the joint efforts of scientists and engineers of the nuclear centers of name [Khomi] of ram and Indira Gandhi. For finalizing of the engineering solutions, including in the region of providing nuclear and radiation safety, in [Kalpakkame] was built and began to be exploited in 2006 the bench ground-based version of boat reactor. Turboinstallation with power 47 of thousand horsepower for “[Arikhanta]” placed Indian firm Walchandnagar Of industries, system of control - company Of tata Of power SED, the branch of the industrial group Of tata Of power. Power unit makes possible “For [arikhantu]” to develop underwater speed 24 unit, i.e., the order of 44 kilometers in hour.



The impact potential “Of [arikhanta]” they compose 12 ballistic intermediate range rockets K -15 “Of [sagarika]”. “[Sagariku]” developed The [khaydarabadskiy] center of the missile construction of multiprofile state defense enterprise DRDO - the same, that it created the rockets “Of [agni]” and “[Pritkhvi]”. It is assumed that with the payload of 1000 kilograms the flying range of rocket “[Sagarika]” will reach 700 kilometers, and 180- kilogram warhead it will throw up to the distance 1900 kilometers. In connection with the possibility of nuclear equipment “Of [sagariki]” preferable is the second index.



Certainly, on the range of fire “Of [sagarika]” it is substantially inferior to the contemporary ballistic underwater-launched missiles of Russia, USA, France and China. But it is necessary to assume that this is completely acceptable for India taking into account the arrangement of forces in South Asia and in the pond of the Indian Ocean. The first underwater launching “[Sagariki]” from the submerged test pontoon took place in 2008.



It is possible that nuclear-powered ships of the type “[Arikhant]” in the future can obtain the long-rangeer ballistic missiles THE K- X, which are been naval counterpart of land rocket “[Agni]-3”. In each of four launching silos “[Arikhanta]” is placed on three “[Sagariki]” or on one K- X.



It is expected that the program will not limit to three boats of the type “[Arikhant]” and will be built two additional submarines. But this it means: on the number of strategic atomic submarine fleet India will arise in one row with Great Britain, France and China.



[url="http://66.163.168.225/babelfish/translate_url_content?.intl=us&lp=ru_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fvpk-news.ru%2fauthors%2f1038"]Constantine [Chuprin][/url]



[url="http://66.163.168.225/babelfish/translate_url_content?.intl=us&lp=ru_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fvpk-news.ru%2fissues%2f376"]It is published in the release of â„– 10 (376) after on March 16, 2011[/url]

[Bharat_2009]

True, it is highly improbable, that it will enter into service, in particular, in connection with the fact that on the accuracy of the shooting “Of [dkhanush]” it is inferior to Russian- Indian cruise missile “[BraMos]”



Are we going to use Dhanush/Prithvi III for anti-ship role ??

[ramana]

It was a quick fix to have a deterrent a sea in order to maintain escalation control. Now that other things are ready it could go back to lurk mode. In 2001, Dhanush equipped ship was already at sea and provided some sort of quick escalation control.

[Arun_S]

[quote name='Bharat_2009' date='09 April 2011 - 07:57 AM' timestamp='1302315563' post='111336']

True, it is highly improbable, that it will enter into service, in particular, in connection with the fact that on the accuracy of the shooting “Of [dkhanush]” it is inferior to Russian- Indian cruise missile “[BraMos]”



Are we going to use Dhanush/Prithvi III for anti-ship role ??

[/quote]



Dhanush with a quiver full of Prithvi was a quick-fix to mitigate immediate threat scenario.



While BrahMos Mk-II and Mk-III are markedly superior w.r.t accuracy and surprise compared to Mk-I, its payload is markedly smaller yield than Prithvi.



Now that India has the right missile for the purpose one can expect to see Rajput/Subhadra class ships, as well as Arihant to have a quiver load full of Shourya/Sagarika, a missile much superior to Prithvi and BrahMos in all aspects; 900-1900 Km hypersonic glide missile, with payload suitable for 100+ kt yield and stealth flight.

[Bharat_2009]

[quote name='Arun_S' date='11 April 2011 - 04:53 AM' timestamp='1302477301' post='111346']

Dhanush with a quiver full of Prithvi was a quick-fix to mitigate immediate threat scenario.



While BrahMos Mk-II and Mk-III are markedly superior w.r.t accuracy and surprise compared to Mk-I, its payload is markedly smaller yield than Prithvi.



Now that India has the right missile for the purpose one can expect to see Rajput/Subhadra class ships, as well as Arihant to have a quiver load full of Shourya/Sagarika, a missile much superior to Prithvi and BrahMos in all aspects; 900-1900 Km hypersonic glide missile, with payload suitable for 100+ kt yield and stealth flight.

[/quote]



If Shourya is used for anti-ship role, are we looking at a conventional warhead or un-boosted version of FBF?



Shourya with 100 kg un-boosted version of FBF warhead with 0.5 kt low yield can go >2000 km range, is it not?



Higher yield warheads could be overkill (for anti-ship role)



DF-21 anti-carrier missile (Chinese call it ASBM) - is it a Hypersonic glide missile too? US seems to be a bit worried.

[Arun_S]

Dhanush is a Land attack weapon, thus low yield warhead is not desirable.



Long range anti-ship role is primarily conventional warhead; lack of precision terminal guidance (and ABM) is difficult to compensate with strategic warhead (inherently escalatory).

[ramana]

ArunS, Decode this old report:timing, content etc etc.



LINK

[Arun_S]

[quote name='ramana' date='20 April 2011 - 01:59 AM' timestamp='1303244491' post='111398']

ArunS, Decode this old report:timing, content etc etc.



[url="http://www.sify.com/news/nuclear-strategic-programme-to-be-strengthened-further-aec-chief-news-national-kk3wObghfee.html"]LINK[/url]

[/quote]

[b]Nuclear strategic programme to be strengthened further: AEC chief

[/b]

2010-10-29 22:50:00

Last Updated: 2010-10-29 22:53:33

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Delhi: India's strategic programme will be strengthened further to ensure minimum credible deterrence, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission Srikumar Banerjee said today.



"Our strategic programme will be further strengthened to ensure minimum credible deterrence -- our triad of the delivery system will be fully functional," he said addressing the Department of Atomic Energy staff on the 101st birth anniversary of nuclear scientist Homi Bhabha.



"Electromagnetic and high power microwave devices will be deployed in our missile defence system," Banerjee said while enumerating the achievements of the department.

Strategic deterrence is combined function of strategic offensive systems (weapons (I.e. vehicle & its payload), as well as defense from challenger's offensive strategic defense (in form of ABM {surveillance, targeting sensors and interceptor missiles}, Anti-Cruise Missile defense, Air Defense Environment, Sensor grid on ocean floor.



IMHO in recent time there is progress made in strategic offense capability w.r.t. vehicles (all 3 vehicle components of strategic force command) as well as new higher yield warheads and RVs, with testing (that is short of actual field test).



On EM and High power EM it is the sensor (radar | signal processing | multi sensor fusion to determine incoming missile's precise trajectory) field that is being indicated ( NOT offensive high-power microwave).

Banerjee also said different kinds of scanners will be deployed at all entry and exit points on land, air and sea to provide security against any unauthorised movement of nuclear materials.



Electronic Corporation of India (ECIL) of the DAE along with a private partner are making these scanners with the help of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and already one such scanner for containers is being installed in the Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Nhava Sheva in Maharashtra, Banerjee said.



Following the April incident of radiation exposure in Mayapuri in Delhi, DAE did not take any chance during the Commonwealth Games, he said.



During the sporting event, ECIL supplied equipment worth Rs 230 crore and a large number of personnel from various security agencies were trained on detection of any radiation sources and mitigation of any radiation emergency, he said.



In addition, during the Games, a team of scientists was deputed at the venues for radiation surveillance, Banerjee said.



On the issue of international collaboration, Banerjee said there are several projects in which India will be participating and establishing several facilities in the country to attract international scientists, including those of Indian origin.

This is reassuring.

BARC Director R K Sinha said as part of the Indo-US deal, transport of imported fuel from research reactor APSARA out of Trombay has already commenced. The new design of APSARA will have several advanced features that will include advanced dispersion type uranium silicide fuel.



BARC has also commissioned a new reprocessing plant in Tarapur this morning to carry out the reprocessing of power reactor fuel.

APSARA core is tiny and its spent fuel size is puny. So its a no news (Storm in tea cup).

If he spoke anything on progress on the mountain of spent fuel from Tarapur, that would have been worth any progress w.r.t relationship with US / GoTUS)



Reprocessing capability was earlier reported, and I posted my views earlier on its upside implications.