All You Need To Know About India’s Nuclear Arsenal

Last week marked the 18th anniversary of India’s Operation Shakti 1998 nuclear tests. Here is a brief explanatory note and video on India’s nuclear arsenal.

On May 11 1998, India tested three nuclear devices in its Pokhran desert. These tests were followed by two more tests on May 13.

Operation Shakti, as the tests were collectively known, comprised of one fusion device and two fission devices on May 11 and a sub-kiloton fission prototype and a uranium-233 assembly two days later. It is rumoured that a third round of tests was planned but abandoned.

These were not India’s first nuclear tests: India gatecrashed into the nuclear club on May 18, 1974 when its scientists conducted a 12 kT peaceful nuclear explosion in the same desert.

How big is India’s nuclear arsenal?

Although the exact composition of India’s nuclear arsenal is classified, foreign nuclear non-proliferation watchdogs estimate the size to be between 100 and 120 warheads.

Since these tests, scientists have admitted that the yield of some of these tests was initially slightly exaggerated and that the thermonuclear device was a fizzle.

How will India deliver this arsenal?

In case of nuclear war, India will rely primarily on its missiles to deliver their warheads to their designated targets.

The missiles have a range from the short-range Prithvi I’s 350 kms to the Agni V’s 5,000 kms. India also maintains nuclear-capable fighter jets such as the Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29, Mirage 2000H, and Sepecat Jaguar.

How about the nuclear submarine?

To ensure second strike capability, India has also been developing a submarine-based nuclear deterrent. To this end, the INS Arihant will be the first of its nuclear missile boats to set sail shortly. It will initially be armed with the 700 km range K-15 SLBM which may be upgraded to the 3,000 km range K-4.

Who operates and controls these assets?

All land and air attack nuclear forces come under the Strategic Forces Command which is a part of the Nuclear Command Authority.

When will India use its nuclear weapons?

India will not use its nuclear weapons unless an enemy uses weapons of mass destruction – be they biological, chemical, or nuclear - upon it first.

This is called the no first use policy which India hopes will enhance nuclear stability in the region and not give our adversaries a reason to escalate things.