In N-weapons, Pakistan ahead of India -- Jane's report
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

ISLAMABAD, MARCH 25: Pakistan has edged past India in nuclear weapons capability since the two countries conducted nuclear tests in May 1998, according to the London-based Jane's Intelligence Review. This was reported by the Pakistani daily, The News.

The weekly said India moved at a slower pace in deciding and completing delivery systems, evolving procedures, tactics and doctrine for nuclear use as well as for ensuring effective control over nuclear forces. Pakistan, on the other hand, moved quickly to implement effective systems and procedures for its more modest nuclear arsenal.

``In all these areas, New Delhi proceeded at a slower pace, insisting on creating an original Indian system. Pakistan has more fully implemented the lessons that it has learnt from already established nuclear powers,'' it said.

Meanwhile, another report in Dawn said the Pakistan Air Force will test-fire several missiles, including those of American and French origin, and rockets tomorrow to improve its operational efficiency by enhancing combat preparedness.

Jane's was quoted by The News as pointing out that Indian nuclear policies and forces are controlled by its political leadership, scientists from the Atomic Energy Commission and the Defence Research and Development Organisation. ``India views nuclear weapons as necessary for their political utility, their ability to bring international prestige and provide deterrence vis-a-vis Pakistan and China,'' the weekly was quoted as saying.

But the political leadership has not fully thought through specifics of nuclear use or doctrine and does not view such weapons as possessing military utility and discounts the possibility of them being used on the battlefield, it said.

Contrary to this, Pakistan's nuclear forces are controlled by the Army and have been more fully incorporated into the country's overall military strategy, the weekly reportedly said.

It said Pakistan officials believe Islamabad's nuclear capability gives it the option of strongly supporting insurgency in Kashmir. The view is based on the belief that India would not dare hit back with strong conventional weapons for fear of such a conflict escalating to a nuclear exchange, it said.

The weekly reportedly said that official proclamations by India's nuclear scientists notwithstanding, it has not proceeded to develop an effective missile-based nuclear deterrent as quickly as Pakistan and is yet to deploy a missile force in quantity.

India's nuclear delivery systems consist of assault aviation Mirage 2000H fighters, which will be supplemented by Sukhoi SU-30MK multi-role fighters, along with a limited number of Prithvi-I and II short-range ballistic missiles and Agni medium-range ballistic missiles, it said.

While none of the nuclear delivery systems possessed by India is capable of providing deterrence against China, it developed the long-range ICBM, Agni, to fill the vacuum, it said.

Pakistan, on the other hand, has nearly completed development of a solid-fuelled missile that could strike key Indian cities from deep within Pakistan territory.

Islamabad will use its Ghauri series of liquid-fuelled missiles for offensive operations while the Shaheen series would be retained for defensive purposes, it said.

As part of its efforts to put in place a command and control system, Pakistan established the nuclear command authority and the Pakistan nuclear regulatory authority, the weekly said, according to the newspaper.

Despite all these moves, Islamabad is yet to fully develop its nuclear force structure, it said, adding that Pakistan had steadfastly refused to quantify the nuclear weapons it required for minimum deterrence.

Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.