In light of China's escalating nuclear arsenal, India may consider expanding its own nuclear capabilities, according to Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar (Retd), former head of India's Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
In an article published in The Week, Air Marshal Kumar highlighted China's growing stockpile of warheads, which has potentially surged from 400 in 2022 to 500 currently, with projections indicating a potential rise to over 1,000 warheads. This rapid expansion, coupled with China's development and deployment of ballistic missile defense systems, could compel India to reassess its nuclear arsenal to maintain a credible second-strike capability.
Currently, China possesses an estimated 400 to 500 warheads, while India's arsenal is estimated to be around 140 to 150. Despite past restraint in the face of Pakistan's nuclear threats, the shifting geopolitical landscape may necessitate a recalibration of India's nuclear strategy.
Air Marshal Kumar emphasized that India's recent advancements in missile technology, including the Agni P and Agni V missiles, alongside the launch of INS Arihant, are positive steps towards enhancing the nation's nuclear deterrent. However, he stressed the urgency of operationalizing longer-range sea-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) and developing air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBM).
As the geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific region continues to evolve, India's nuclear policy is likely to remain a subject of intense debate and scrutiny.
