India's long-range nuclear capable Agni-III missile, which was successfully tested on Wednesday, is not aimed at any particular country but can hit targets deep inside China or any West Asian country, according to Group Captain R K Das, spokesperson of the Indian Army's Eastern Command.
"The Agni-III is not country-specific but was test-fired to strengthen our military power. With the successful launch of the missile, India has joined the league of global superpowers like China, France, Russia, US and UK who already have this type of weapons in their possession," Das said here Wednesday evening.
He said: "With this missile, India can even strike Shanghai. Agni-III was developed indigenously by scientists in India. The research and development activity of the missile had been on for the past eight years."
India successfully test-fired the 3,000 km range surface-to-surface nuclear capable missile from Wheeler's Island off the Orissa coast Wednesday morning.
"We can't let ourselves be unprotected. We have built a capability to retaliate if we are threatened. This missile would help India form a credible defence from China. With this launch, China will think twice before attacking us," Das said.
Who said the arms race was over?
6 comments:
"We can't let ourselves be unprotected. We have built a capability to retaliate if we are threatened. This missile would help India form a credible defense from China. With this launch, China will think twice before attacking us,"
As if.
China would no more attack India than it would Japan. This weapon is insurance that no nuclear armed Muslim state decides to back Pakistan in a showdown.
If it can reach Shanghai, it can strike any Middle Eastern capital.
I'm a little disturbed by the fact that India seems to be pursuing these weapons merely for their prestige value. I can't think of another instance of a nuclear power developing long-range weapons without some kind of concrete scenario in which they're supposed to be used. It'll be interesting to see how the Chinese and Pakistanis react to this.
This is way off topic so don't post it, but I don't have an email for you.
You have got to read this if you haven't already.
http://sciencesecurity.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/has-george-bush-handed-osama-bin-laden-the-keys-to-armageddon/
Ullghh, that's really ominous. Hopefully the actual policy isn't quite that bad, and it's important to remember that in the aftermath of a nuclear terrorist attack that any set plan may be thrown out the window. In any case, let's hope the next administration ends all talk of this wretched idea.
India has fought wars with both of its major neighbors, China and Pakistan. Both are nuclear powers. Both posses long range missile nuclear delivery technology. The Pakistani have missiles capable of delivering 700 to 1000 kg warheads in a 2300 to 2500 km range. Pakistan purchases its missile technology from China, which knows that India would be there most likely target. In addition to targeting India with nuclear missiles, Pakistan had conducted and supported terrors campaigns against India.
Gentlemen,
Pakistan and North Korea are the respective cat's paws of China's Asian strategy.
Both have received both nuclear and missile tech transfers to varying degrees.
In Pakistan's case China actually tested a weapon for them at Lop Nor in 1990.
That weapon itself was based on the Chinese supplied CHIC-4 design.
India faces the prospect of a two front engagement at any given time.
Moreover, any conflict by China is likely to be intiated via Pakistan.
Indeed Pakistan may launch a counter value first strike which would be the pathfinder for a Chinese counterforce attack on India.
None of these weapons are for prestige. period.
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