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Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam wasn’t just any scientist; he was the driving force behind some of the most critical advancements in India's defense technology, earning him the well-deserved nickname, “Missile Man of India.” But how did a humble son of a boat owner from Tamil Nadu rise to revolutionise India’s missile capabilities? It all began when he joined the <keyword id="19896088" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Defence-Research-and-Development-Organisation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Defence Research and Development Organisation" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Defence Research and Development Organisation">Defence Research and Development Organisation</keyword> (DRDO) and later the <keyword id="19915130" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Space-Research-Organisation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Space Research Organisation" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Space Research Organisation">Indian Space Research Organisation</keyword> (ISRO). It was here that Kalam's deep understanding of rocketry and aerospace engineering began to take shape. His work with India’s first satellite launch vehicle, the SLV-III, laid the foundation for his transition into missile development. Kalam's pivotal role in leading the <keyword id="23558683" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Integrated-Guided-Missile-Development-Program" source="keywords">Integrated Guided Missile Development Program</keyword> (IGMDP) is where he truly made history. This program was responsible for the creation of several of India’s most powerful missiles — some of which are still considered game-changers in the defense world today. Under his leadership, India’s missile defense strategy went from practically nonexistent to highly capable, establishing the country as a force to be reckoned with. <h2><keyword id="22799891" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Agni-missiles" source="keywords">Agni missiles</keyword></h2>Among his most notable creations is the Agni series. Considered the big leagues in the world of short to medium range ballistic missiles, the first within its series was developed after the Indo-Pakistan Kargil war. The Agni I, for example, has a range of about 700 to 1,200 kilometers. That’s comparable to firing a missile from Mumbai and hitting targets well into Pakistan. The real kicker? It can carry a 2,500 kg nuclear warhead, what India has affectionately termed a “credible deterrent”. The weight of the warhead directly correlates to the missile's destructive potential. A heavier warhead usually contains more explosive material or larger payloads, which increases its ability to cause widespread damage. This is particularly important for missiles like the Agni series, where the intent is to act as a deterrent. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114227840" title="As a warning, China sent warplanes and warships, including its first aircraft carrier, to practice assaulting Taiwan" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Building upon the success of the first iteration, the Agni II boasted an even more impressive range of 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers. This nuclear-equipped missile was capable, fast, terrifyingly accurate, and likely helped significantly affect the strategic dynamics of India with neighbouring countries such as China. With a warhead of 1000kg, it was deadly — if needed to be. Both of these missiles are rail and road-mobile, meaning that they can be transported across the country for launch. <h2>Prithvi close-range missiles</h2>But it wasn't just long-range nukes that Kalam worked on. He also turned his attention to tactical, battlefield missiles like the Prithvi series. The <keyword id="23558684" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prithvi-missiles" source="keywords">Prithvi missiles</keyword> are somewhat different — they're designed for close-range engagements, acting almost like a heavyweight punch in a tactical fight. The Prithvi I can travel 150 kilometers and is perfect for battlefield dominance, carrying a huge 1,000-kilogram payload. That’s the equivalent of launching an entire small car into enemy territory at speeds of Mach 2. Meanwhile, the Prithvi II, with its slightly extended range of 250 kilometers, helped provide additional flexibility to the Indian Air Force. These missiles might not have the range of the Agni series, but they hit hard and fast — similar to the Russian Iskander missile system in terms of their tactical role on the battlefield. <h2>Akash SAM</h2>The <keyword id="23558685" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Akash-missiles" source="keywords">Akash missiles</keyword> are a surface-to-air missile (SAM) that operates like a protective umbrella for India’s skies. This missile can engage multiple targets at once and hit them from 25 kilometers away, and was made agile enough to shoot down incoming enemy planes, helicopters, or even drones. So far, the Indian forces have built over 3,500 of them. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111540369" title="Israel is inching toward a wider war and a nasty fight against an enemy poised to bombard it as no other foe has" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>While some compare the Akash missiles to Israel’s Iron Dome system, there are some notable differences. Both systems are designed to neutralise aerial threats before they can hit their targets, but their primary roles differ slightly. The Iron Dome is specifically optimised for intercepting short-range rockets and artillery shells, with a success rate that has exceeded 90% in combat situations. Many compare it akin to a highly responsive shield that reacts quickly to immediate missile threats, particularly in urban areas. In contrast, while the Akash missile also intercepts aerial threats, it focuses more on engaging enemy aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles. The Akash's strength lies in its ability to handle multiple threats simultaneously with a rapid response time, similar to the Iron Dome, but with a broader focus on a variety of high-speed airborne targets rather than just short-range rockets. <h2>Nag anti-tank missiles</h2>One of the more specialised missiles Dr. Kalam worked on was the Nag, designed for taking out tanks. Its fire-and-forget technology locks onto an armored tank, flies up, and dives down to strike the tank’s weakest spot from above, punching through even the most advanced armor. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114151124" title="Getting more F-16s is only half the battle. Ukraine also desperately needs to be training more pilots." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>With a range of about 4 kilometers, the Nag is perfect for day or night use, and its laser-guided precision makes it a must-have for the Indian Army. When compared to international anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), such as the US's Javelin or Israel’s Spike, the Nag is just as deadly — albeit with a shorter range — providing India with a cutting-edge weapon for modern warfare. However, the Nag's specific design for India’s diverse battlefield conditions, including its deployment on the NAMICA (<keyword id="23558686" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nag-missile" source="keywords">Nag Missile</keyword> Carrier), provides it with excellent mobility and flexibility, especially in rough terrains. Dr. Kalam’s genius lay not just in the missiles he helped develop, but in his strategic vision. Today, India stands as one of the few nations with highly capable, indigenously developed missile technology, largely thanks to Kalam’s contributions.

Missile Man of India: How powerful were the missiles developed by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam?

<ul><li><keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> successfully tested its <keyword id="2216617" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prithvi-Defence-Vehicle">Prithvi Defence Vehicle</keyword> (<keyword id="4163592" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="PDV">PDV</keyword>) last night which is a part of its two-layer Ballistic Missile Defence Program (BMD).</li><li>PDV, in particular, is a missle that engages targets 50 kms above the Earth’s atmosphere. </li><li>Earlier reports suggest that the PDV could potentially replace the existing combination of missiles.</li></ul>Tensions are at a precarious point where China, Russia, the United States, Japan and, of course, India are in an arms race to beef up their economic and military arsenals. India’s newest milestone is a <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-tests-interceptor-missile-that-can-engage-targets-above-atmosphere-1920981">successful test</a> of the the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) off the eastern coast of the country. This is a part of India's two-layer Ballistic Missile Defence Program (BMD). Originally <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/drdo-readies-shield-against-chinese-icbms-41421-2009-03-09">announced</a> in 2009 as a defence requirement against China’s intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the PDV engages targets in the Earth’s exo-atmosphere. Targets are usually at an altitude that’s nearly 50 km above the Earth’s atmosphere. India conducted its test at around 8PM on 23 September from <keyword id="3038338" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Abdul-Kalam-Island">Abdul Kalam Island</keyword> off the coast of the Odisha, a state on the eastern border of India. <div type="image" title="Mahogany Photo Simple Flowcharts(2)" msid="65933731" hostid="261"></div>

 India’s Ballistic Missile Defence Program The PDV and Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) work together to destroy missiles at exo-atmospheric altitudes, and the Ashivin Advanced Defence (AAD) is in place to intercept missiles within the atmosphere at heights of 20-40kms. So, the BMD system, as of now, can allegedly target medium range ballistic missiles that are travelling between the speeds of Mach 3 and Mach 8. When the PDV was originally tested in 2014, it missed its target though the launch was still considered a success by the DRDO scientists at that time. During the second test in 2017, reports claimed that the target was destroyed at 100kms. That being said, India is also <a href="https://thediplomat.com/2016/10/india-and-russia-ink-s-400-missile-air-defense-system-deal/">speculated</a> to have signed a deal for Russian-made S-400 Triumf advanced air defense systems, or SA-21 Growlers. The reports also suggest that the S-400’s in combination with the 40N6 <keyword id="839167" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="surface-to-air-missile">surface-to-air missile</keyword>, will be superior to what the PDV can accomplish. In a nuclear arms’ competition, BDM systems play a pivotal role in rendering the opposition obsolete. And, while we understand how the missile works, its true test would be in actual combat conditions. India’s BDM system puts it in an exclusive group with the United States, Russia, France, Israel and China. These are the only countries in the world with a developed missile defence system.

India strengthens its Ballistic Missile Defence Program with a successful interceptor missile test

India’s indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile was successfully test-fired as part of a user trial by the <keyword id="6354416" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Army">Indian army</keyword>. The surface-to-surface was test-fired from a test range at Chandipur located in Odisha. 
 
As per defence sources, the trial was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at around 0940 hrs. 
 
Even though two trials of Prithvi-2 were planned, the second one had to be abandoned because of a technical problem. 
 
Talking of the missile, it’s got a strike range of 350 km, is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads, is pushed by liquid propulsion twin engines, and uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target. 
 A defence scientist said that the missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and a specially formed strategic force command (SFC) managed the entire launch activities. The operation was monitored by <keyword id="6355142" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="DRDO">DRDO</keyword> scientists as part of training exercise. 
 
There were downrange teams on board a ship that was deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal that monitored the terminal events and splashdown. 
 The nine-metre-tall, single-stage liquid-fueled <keyword id="132244" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="prithvi-II">Prithvi II</keyword> was inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003 and is the first missile to be developed by DRDO under India's prestigious Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. 
 
<a href="http://www.jaagtv.com/NewsPictures/20141710195.jpeg">Image source</a>

Indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile successfully test-fired from Odisha

<ul><li>India is gearing up its missile defense shield over the national capital region of Delhi with a combination of indigenous, Russian, Israeli and US missile systems.</li><li>The <keyword id="7740159" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-advanced-surface-to-air-missile-system-ii">National Advanced Surface to Air Missile system II</keyword> (<keyword id="7734797" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="NASAMS-2">NASAMS 2</keyword>), will form the fifth layer of a multilayered missile defense shield for NCT.</li><li>Combined with indigenous Prithvi interceptor missiles, Russian S-400, INDO-ISRAELI joint venture Barak-8 long range SAM, Akash area defense <keyword id="42531" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Missile-system">missile system</keyword>, the NASAMS 2 is set to make the capital impenetrable.</li></ul>India's ministry of defense is moving swiftly at acquiring the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System II (NASAM II) from the US,<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-acquire-us-air-defence-system-for-multi-tier-missile-shield-over-delhi/articleshow/69717946.cms"> Times of India reported.</a> Defence ministry sources <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-acquire-us-air-defence-system-for-multi-tier-missile-shield-over-delhi/articleshow/69717946.cms">told TOI</a> that the US is likely to send the final draft of “letter of acceptance” for sale of NASAMS 2 worth ₹ 6,000 ($1 billion) under its foreign military sales programme to INDIA, by July-August. Shielding of NCT of Delhi The proposed multi layered shield for the security of the NCT of Delhi is expected to have five layers. The first being equipped with two tier of AAD (advanced <keyword id="431465" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-defence">air defence</keyword>) and PAD (Prithvi Air Defence) interceptor missile system. The second layer is to be equipped with the Russian made triumph surface to air S 400 missile system. The third layer is to be equipped with the Barak-8 medium &amp; long range surface to air missile system jointly developed by Israeli Aerospace Industries and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India. The fourth layer is to be equipped with the indigenous area defence missile system AKASH. The fifth layer of missile shield is to be equipped with the NASAMS 2 missile system. NASAMS 2 Geared to track and destroy small incoming targets and shoot around buildings, NASAMS 2 is a quick reaction networked system of Stingers, gun systems, AMRAAM missiles along with the MPQ64 Sentinel Air Defense radar and indigenously developed Battle management C4I system that works as Fire Distribution System. Counter to China and Pakistan As a secret deal is underway between China and Pakistan for the development and manufacturing of advanced fighter jets in Pakistan,<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-acquire-us-air-defence-system-for-multi-tier-missile-shield-over-delhi/articleshow/69717946.cms"> India’s claims of BRI </a>being an initiative typically for the expansion and advancing of Chinese military goals has surfaced again. Pentagon’s 2019 Missile Defence Review (MDR) has termed China as having the most active land-based ballistic and cruise missile programme in the world. This is an indication for India to work on securing its vital military and non military assets, like major population centres. The Indo in the Indo-pacific The US, in 2018 termed India as its major defense partner and soon after named its Pacific command as Indo-Pacific command, considering the vital role India can play in the region’s stability and in the South China sea as well. The deal for NASAMS 2 is not to be merely looked as just another of such deals. It projects to the world, the very core role India is going to play to keep stable not only south east asia but also the indo-pacific, south china sea and the middle east, <a href="https://www.orfonline.org/research/where-would-india-fit-in-a-missile-defense-partnership-in-the-indo-pacific-47582/">say</a> experts.

India will add a fifth layer of missiles to protect its national capital region

<ul><li>China ranked second in military spending with military outlays totalling up to $261 billion. Whereas, India ranks third with military outlays totalling to $71.1 billion.</li><li>China ranks third in aircraft strength with 3,210 aircraft in comparison to India which ranks fourth with 2,123 aircraft.</li><li>India’s DRDO has been conducting trials of ballistic missile Prithvi-1 which has 150 km-range, and Prithvi-2 with 250 km-range.</li></ul>In 2020, China had the largest active military force in the world, with about 2.18 million active troops. India, the United States, North Korea, and Russia rounded out the top five countries with the largest active-duty military forces, according to <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/264443/the-worlds-largest-armies-based-on-active-force-level/">Statista</a>. China ranked second in military spending, as it has done since 2008 with military outlays totalling up to $261 billion. Whereas, India ranks third with military outlays totalling to $71.1 billion, according to <a href="https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2020/global-military-expenditure-sees-largest-annual-increase-decade-says-sipri-reaching-1917-billion#:~:text=Global%20military%20expenditure%20sees%20largest%20annual%20increase%20in%20a%20decade,reaching%20%241917%20billion%20in%202019&amp;text=(Stockholm%2C%2027%20April%202020),Peace%20Research%20Institute%20(SIPRI).">Stockholm International Peace Research Institute</a>. <div type="image" title="snapshot-1592381467717" msid="76421306" hostid="261"></div> China ranks third in aircraft strength, according to <a href="https://www.globalfirepower.com/aircraft-total.asp">Global firepower.</a> It has 3,210 aircraft in comparison to India which ranks fourth with 2,123 aircraft. Most importantly, China has two times the number of fighters and interceptors than India. It also has 507 serviceable airports compared to 346 airports in India. <div type="image" title="Air force plane" msid="76421552" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;An Indian Air Force fighter jet touches down on the Agra Lucknow Expressway on Monday NOVEMBER 21, 2016 &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> China’s tank strength stands at 3,200 plus compared to India’s stupendous 4,200 plus, according to <a href="https://www.globalfirepower.com/aircraft-total.asp">Global firepower.</a> But China’s armoured fighting vehicles are at a staggering 33,000, and India pales into insignificance with just over 8,600. <div type="image" title="Indian army tank" msid="76421538" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In an impressive display of capabilities of mechanised warfare platforms in the arsenal of Indian mechanised forces,&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> According to the recent data, China has ten times more rocket projectors at 2650 than India’s 266. It also has a total of 777 naval assets compared to 285 in India, with 74 submarines versus 16 owned by India. China also has 36 destroyers compared to 11 owned by India. <div type="image" title="submarine" msid="76421522" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;PREPARATION TO BE COMMISSIONING INS KHANDERI THE 2ND KALVARI - CLASS SCORPENE SUBMARINE ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 AT NAVAL DOCK (PUBLISHED IN PAGE... .7... OF TOI MUMBAI DATED SEPTEMBER 27, 2019)&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> India’s DRDO has been conducting trials of ballistic missile Prithvi-1 which has 150 km-range, and Prithvi-2 with 250 km-range whereas China has various ballistic missiles, ranging from short-range missiles to <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Communist-China-at-70/China-unveils-ICBM-capable-of-reaching-US-with-10-warheads">Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles</a> (ICBMs). SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/the-boycott-of-chinas-products-will-be-easier-said-than-done-smartphones-acs-and-cars-will-become-more-expensive/articleshow/76419573.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">The boycott of China’s products will be easier said than done –⁠ smartphones, ACs and cars will become more expensive</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/the-chinese-army-statement-claims-sovereignty-over-galwan-valley-and-does-not-disclose-the-number-of-casualties/articleshow/76417705.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">The Chinese army statement claims sovereignty over Galwan Valley and does not disclose the number of casualties</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/checkout-the-top-10-popular-chinese-apps-in-india-in-2020/slidelist/76253572.cms">Top 10 popular chinese apps in India</a>

The strength of India and China’s defence forces compared

India on Tuesday strengthened its nuclear deterrence strategy by successfully carrying out the fourth trail test of its nuclear-capable missile <keyword id="111716" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Agni-IV">Agni-IV</keyword>. The test was conducted from a test range off the Odisha coast while keeping the strike range of the ballistic missile at about 4,000 km. 
 The Strategic Force Command (<keyword id="107063" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="SFC">SFC</keyword>) of Indian army had earlier carried out the last trial of this sleek missile on January 20, 2014 from the same test range. 
 
The Agni-IV missile features state-of-the-art Avionics, 5th generation on board computer and distributed architecture. 
 It’s worth noting that Agni-I, II and III and <keyword id="43248" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prithvi">Prithvi</keyword> are already in the arsenal of armed forces with reach of over 3,000 km.

India Successfully Carries Out The Fourth Trail Test Of N-capable Agni-IV Missile

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image">Kamal Kishore/ReutersIndian soldiers stand beside India's surface-to-surface missile "Prithvi" during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi January 26, 2006. Prithvi, which means earth in Sanskrit, is a nuclear-capable missile.</div></div></div>India just test-launched an indigenous, nuclear-capable ballistic missile.On February 15, the India's Economic Times reported that the country's military had fired a Prithvi-II missile from a mobile launcher.According to the Economic Times, the missile was "randomly chosen from the production stock," meaning that it wasn't specifically modified for testing purposes.This isn't the first test of the Prithvi-II, which has a range of over 200 miles according to Economic Times, and over 150 miles, <a href="https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/missiles">according to the Arms Control Association</a>.But although the missile entered service in the Indian military in 2003 and was first test-launched in 1996, it's experienced test failures as recently as 2011, while the missile used in this week's test <a href="http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Prithvi-II-Fails-Target-for-Technical-Snags/2016/02/17/article3281851.ece">did not hit its intended target</a> even though it reached its intended distance and altitude.The fact the Indian military has had even mixed success in firing an apparently randomly selected Prithvi-II from a mobile launcher suggests that the country really has developed a semi-reliable nuclear delivery system that it can indigenously produce. The Prithvi II gives India the ability to make its own mobile nuclear-capable ballistic missiles with a far-enough range to hit nearly every major city in Pakistan from inside Indian territory.An indigenous missile capability is crucial for India, which is a <a href="http://thediplomat.com/2013/09/why-india-tested-nuclear-weapons-in-1998/">confirmed nuclear weapons state</a> but <a href="http://disarmament.un.org/treaties/t/npt">not a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty</a>.A<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_left click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Reuters" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/56c4b3dc6e97c662008b7bc9-960/screen shot 2016-02-17 at 12.53.44 pm.png"></a>Reuters</div></div></div>lthough India's nuclear program has been <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/04/AR2008090401614.html">semi-recognized through its landmark 2008 nuclear treaty with the United States</a>, the fact that the country has developed nuclear weapons outside of the NPT makes it highly unlikely that an outside country would provide Delhi with a strategic delivery system.India also faces a ballistic missile asymmetry.China has <a href="http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/1998/06/implications-of-chinas-nuclear-aid-to-pakistan">aided Pakistan in its ballistic missile development</a>, providing nuclear-capable missiles with a 186-mile range along with suspected technological assistance on longer-range delivery systems.In contrast, the US <a href="http://fas.org/nuke/guide/india/missile/prithvi.htm">discouraged India</a> from developing the Prithvi class of missiles throughout the 1990s.Washington is understandably nervous about the appearance of encouraging strategic weapons proliferation, and one of the rationales of the 2008 nuclear treaty was to give the US additional leverage over the development of India's program.The Prithvi II encompasses the tensions of India's nuclear weapons program.On the one hand, Delhi aspires to a position of global leadership that an overly reckless nuclear weapons program would arguably undermine.At the same time, India needs to keep up its deterrent capability against its primary strategic opponent, a nuclear-armed Pakistan. Pakistan is determined to have a nuclear edge on India, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/biggest-international-security-challenge-2016-2015-12">building warheads at a faster pace than its rival</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pakistan-tested-nuclear-missile-that-can-reach-israel-2015-3">testing an intercontinental missile</a> that would be capable of covering the entirety of Indian territory.In contrast, India is more populous and less diplomatically isolated - and can produce road-mobile missiles capable of hitting just about any major city inside of Pakistan.Both countries' ballistic missile development show that India and Pakistan's rivalry is as dangerous as ever. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/navy-admiral-william-mcraven-commencement-speech-always-make-your-bed-2016-2">This admiral's inspiring speech will convince you to make your bed every morning</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="05ZTRwMDE6-H4wCN_8xMBHf_C_aYZH5K" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

India's ballistic missiles could be a game-changer

<ul><li>China is the second largest military spender in the world, followed by India. </li><li>Over the last one year, both the countries have increased their nuclear weapon stockpile but India is still far behind China in terms of the total nuclear warheads. </li><li>India owns nearly 150 warheads while China has a nuclear inventory of 320 weapons. </li><li>Pakistan has 160 <keyword id="50845" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nuclear-weapons">nuclear weapons</keyword> or torpedoes. That, and India’s nuclear stockpile, accounts for a little over 2% of the world’s nuclear arsenal. </li><li>The US and Russia, however, possess over 90% of the global nuclear warheads. </li></ul>The brewing tension between the Asian nuclear superpowers — India and China is likely to make the whole world nervous. China is the second largest military spender in the world, followed by India. Over the last one year, both the countries have increased their nuclear weapon stockpile but India is still far behind China in terms of the total nuclear warheads. China has 320 warheads — more than India and Pakistan combined According to the recent data by the Swedish think tank <a href="https://www.sipri.org/yearbook/2020">Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)</a>, China has more than double the number of nuclear weapons compared to India. As of January 2020, India owns nearly 150 warheads while China has a nuclear inventory of 320 weapons. The report comes on the backdrop of the ongoing standoff between India and China at the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, along the Line of Actual Control. <a href="http://www.atomicarchive.com/Effects/effects1.shtml">One megaton of a nuclear weapon yields 1 million tons of TNT</a>, which is enough to destroy 80 square miles. TNT is the amount of energy that is produced during an explosion. Even a single nuclear weapon holds the power to destroy a city. That’s because these weapons generate ionizing radiations that can kill people or lead to a long term disease like cancer and other genetic damages. As many as 240 warheads or weapons have been dedicated to China’s land and sea-based missiles and aircraft. “China is in the middle of a significant modernization of its nuclear arsenal. It is developing a so-called nuclear triad for the first time, made up of new land and sea-based missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft,” <a href="https://www.sipri.org/yearbook/2020">the report stated</a>. India’s nuclear warheads As per the estimates, India assigned 48 nuclear bombs to its aircraft. “While India is expanding the size of its nuclear weapon stockpile as well as its infrastructure for producing nuclear warheads,” added the SIPRI report. On the other hand, the country has four kinds of land-based nuclear missiles — Prithvi I, Agni I, Agni II, Agni III — which constitute nearly 60 warheads. Agni II, the medium-range ballistic missile, is capable of sending a nuclear warhead approximately over 2,000 kilometers away. While Agni IV, which is known to be under development, would be able to deliver a single nuclear warhead up to 3,500 kilometers away, as published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00963402.2018.1533162?needAccess=true&amp;">Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. </a> While 16 warheads are used in the sea-based ballistic missiles including Dhanush, K15 and K4. US and Russia possess over 90% of the global nuclear warheads Meanwhile, Pakistan also has 160 nuclear weapons or torpedoes. That, and India’s nuclear stockpile, accounts for a little over 2% of the world’s nuclear arsenal. Come 2025, India is anticipated to have 250 warheads, <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/10/eaay5478">according to a research</a> published on the nuclear arsenals in India and Pakistan. The US and Russia, however, possess over 90% of the global nuclear warheads. But there has been a drop in the overall inventory of the world's nuclear weapons. That is largely because of the retired weapons that are no longer in the stockpile. India and Pakistan never signed the <a href="https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/Nuclearweaponswhohaswhat">Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons</a> (NPT) that internationally recognised countries as nuclear weapon states , but possess nuclear arsenals. While China is a part of the Nuclear Weapon States recognised by the NPT. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-india-china-dispute-on-ladakhs-galwan-valley-along-the-line-of-control/articleshow/76399372.cms">Simply put ⁠— the India-China dispute in Ladakh’s Galwan valley along the Line of Actual Control</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/not-only-india-hong-kong-taiwan-vietnam-and-japan-also-facing-chinese-army-aggression-on-border-issue/slidelist/76418800.cms">China’s aggression isn’t only aimed at India — but at least four other countries in the region</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/the-chinese-army-statement-claims-sovereignty-over-galwan-valley-and-does-not-disclose-the-number-of-casualties/articleshow/76417705.cms">The Chinese army statement claims sovereignty over Galwan Valley and does not disclose the number of casualties</a>

You Searched For "Prithvi missiles" and got 8 results

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