India Is Now A Nuclear Super Power
Added: Apr 13th, 2007 8:14 AM
By Ray Perdue
April 13, 2007
On Thursday, April 12, 2007, India announced that it now had long-range nuclear capabilities.
The Agni III missile was launched from Wheeler Island, 110 miles (180 kilometers) northeast of Bhubaneswar, the capital of the eastern state of Orissa. The missile was in the air for approximately 15 minutes, and according to Indian officials, it reached all of its objectives.
The last time India attempted to test the Agni III was last July. The test failed when the missile crashed into the Bay of Bengal shortly after takeoff.
This time the testing was completely successful. W. Selvamurthy, a senior official with the Indian Defence Research and Development Organization, which designed the missile, told Reuters News "the test was absolutely successful. It took off at 10:50 am and landed at 11:05 am. We are absolutely satisfied with all the results and we have rectified the errors of last year’s failure. It met all the target coordinates."
According to a statement released by India’s Defence Ministry in New Dehli, the test "confirmed India’s strategic capability for minimum credible deterrence."
Indian security analysts also expressed their joy over the results. "…This gives India the strategic reach that…certainly the military wants," one analyst told reporters, Thursday.
Many see the test as a strike at China, and meant to counter China’s military strength in the region. The Agni III is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead nearly 2,000 miles—far enough to reach Beijing or Shanghai, and even the Middle East.
The Agni III will be able to carry a payload of 1.5 tons, and be fitted with conventional or nuclear warheads.
Shorter-range versions of the Agni III have also been developed, probably in reference to neighboring Pakistan.
Indian security analysts were quick to point out that the Agni II should not be viewed as being anti-China, and is not meant for a "single-point threat." They stated that the missile is an attempt to enhance India’s overall strategy, and is simply an insurance policy against future threats.
However, the new missiles and testing may damage India’s new relationship with the United States. Last year, President Bush agreed to work with India on its nuclear program, provided that India halts its production of nuclear weapons.
Thursday, the USA Today reported that India has been making demands to Washington, that it be allowed to continue testing nuclear weapons, and increase its nuclear capabilities. Thursday’s test of the Agni III maybe the precursor to full-scale nuclear testing by India.
India already has 100 to 150 nuclear warheads. The development of inter-continental ballistic missiles could be the next major step on India’s military agenda.
In recent years India’s nuclear and missile programs have been seen as attempts to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, as well as attempting to make itself a world super-power.
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