- Joined
- May 29, 2009
- Messages
- 14,104
- Likes
- 63,371
Are you comparing India's second strike capabilities in comparison to USA or it should be a very generalized overall approach?I dont see why this is such a complicated question - in my view there is a very simple answer to this question.
A credible 2nd strike capability does not exist unless you have proven SLBM technology and the weaponised MIRV warhead to go with it. Plus a 2nd strike is only credible if you have systems that are ready to be launched as soon as you see missiles coming at you, even before they hit the ground.
A country like India is unlikely to have fully assembled nukes on ICBM or IRBM mobile platforms - trucks or railroad mounted systems. The reason I say this is because the internal homeland security in India is so bad. They may have them in dis-assembled state in a secure location.
If they had fully assembled cannister launched nukes ready on rail or trucks - they would have to deal with enormous security challenges from all the internal insurgents, naxalites, and other elements.
The other option is manned missile silos - again very expensive and security is a huge issue.
Yet another option is using fighter aircraft - this is very risky and slim chance of success.
The safest option is the SLBM - where you have a highly trained crew that is highly disciplined & professional and the chances of getting discovered before you launch are slim. And if you don't have that - basically your 2nd strike is useless !!
Do you think Pakistan or china will be able to dismantle/overwhelm all nuclear installation land or sea based of India and will not suffer so called second strike nuclear attack from India.
In case of Pakistan we are born forward and distance is not a challenge and can reduce reaction time by many folds.
In case of china the challenge is difficult but not slim even if India has to use the options of Fighter air craft given the fact china after first strike wont be able to plug its airspace completely due to its great border length with India (far more then USA has to plug against Russia from Alaska)
The information i can share with you regarding Rail launch prithvy 300+ km range(with a view of Pakistan) can be readily rushed into civilian rail tracks as all army installations have fully functional railway tracks. Furthermore i don't buy that security will a major issue in any part of India but for discussion sake i may add to this that North and western Indian regions are very secure, peaceful with high density complex rail network.