Insta
Pakistan May Have 250 Nuclear Warheads By 2025; To Emerge As Fifth Largest N-Weapons State: US Report
In this photo dated 8 December 2004, Pakistani defence officials pose with an indigenous short-range, nuclear missile at an undisclosed location. (Photo by Pakistan Ministry of Defence via Getty Images)
Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal currently occupies over 140 warheads, and is projected to increase by 80-100 more by 2025, says a US report.
In 1999, the United States Defense Intelligence Agency predicted that Pakistan might have a hold over 60-80 warheads by 2020. But today, Pakistan is predicted to possess somewhere between 140-150 nuclear weapons. The growth rate is quite alarming for the global community.
PTI quoted Hans M Kristensen, Robert S Norris and Julia Diamond in the report titled ‘Pakistani nuclear forces 2018’ as saying, "We estimate that the country's stockpile could more realistically grow to 220 to 250 warheads by 2025, if the current trend continues. If that happens, it would make Pakistan the world's fifth-largest nuclear weapon state."
Introduction of tactical nuclear weapons has been a concern for the US, which has kept a close eye on the building up of a bigger nuclear stockpile in Pakistan.
The report says, "With several delivery systems in development, four plutonium production reactors, and its uranium enrichment facilities expanding, however, Pakistan has a stockpile that will likely increase further over the next 10 years," says the report.
A number of mobile launchers and underground facilities at Pakistani army garrisons and air-force bases have been traced by US commercial satellites. They speculate it being related to nuclear forces.
This might possibly be used against India in a territorial conflict, the report reads.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
