Science & Technology UPSC. Science & Technology Notes UPSC.
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1.1 India’s Nuclear Triad UPSC
The Nuclear Triad of India is a three-sided military-force structure consisting of
ICBMs (land-based nuclear missiles)
SSBNs (nuclear-missile-armed submarines) and
Strategic Bombers (strategic aircraft with nuclear bombs and missiles).
The theory underlying the triad is that spreading the country’s extensive nuclear arsenals across various weapons platforms and dimensions would provide a Credible Minimum Deterrence (CMD). In 2018, with the deployment of INS Arihant (an SSBN), a Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine, India got its fully operational Nuclear Triad.
Only five countries are known to have the nuclear triad: the United States, Russia, China, India, and Pakistan. Israel is suspected of having it as well. France gave up its triad when it renounced ground-launched missiles.
1.1.1 Land-based Components
It mainly includes missiles that can be launched from land-based platforms such as ICBMs (Inter-continental Ballistic Missiles), SRBMs (Short Range Ballistic Missiles), etc.
The ICBMs are quite responsive and lethal. ICBMs are deployed in hundreds of silos and can be launched and reach targets within minutes, creating a nearly insurmountable targeting problem for adversaries.
Land-based missiles that can support the triad are Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Trishul, etc.
Agni-V missile can go up to a range of 5500 Km with nuclear warheads.
1.1.2 Sea-based Component
Submarines:
This component majorly includes the Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear Submarines (SSBNs).
SSBNs (SSBNs fleet) maintain their survivability through continuous patrols. With a portion of the fleet always at sea, potential adversaries cannot track every submarine, creating an element of surprise and hindering their ability to launch a preemptive strike.
For example, INS Arihant with K-15 Sagarika missiles (700 Kms range) and K-4 missiles (3500 Kms range).
Also, the trials are going on with INS Arighat which has a possibility of getting inducted by 2024. It is more suitable to carry more K-4 missiles than INS Arihant.
The SSBNs play a crucial role in the Second Strike against any nuclear attack complementing the Nuclear Doctrine as their location is unknown.
Ship:
Dhanush missile from ships like INS Subhadra or INS Rajput.
1.1.3 Air-based Component
It majorly includes the Bombers which are considered as flexible for attacking. The bomber aircraft are flexible and can resolve during a crisis and provide a variety of deployment and yield options when placed on alert.
The aircraft that would work as bombers include the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000H, SEPECAT Jaguar, and Rafale.
1.1.4 Significance of India’s Nuclear Triad
India is among very few countries (United States, Russia, China, India, and Pakistan) which have achieved the capability of nuclear triad. The Nuclear Triad has its own significance in providing security to a nation.
Capability of Second Strike: The Nuclear Triad helps the country to counter-attack a nation after being attacked by nuclear warheads. This triad ensures that even after being hit by a nuclear warhead, one can counter the attacking nation.
Balance of Power: For India, this triad is very crucial, since it shares its borders with its nuclear-empowered adversaries such as Pakistan and China. Both countries have sophisticated arsenals and believe they have the assets to credibly harm India. Having a nuclear triad, India is now aiming to counterbalance China’s assertiveness in South Asia.
Credible Minimum Deterrence: It is one of the objectives of India’s Nuclear Doctrine which is complemented by possessing a fully operational nuclear triad. It provides sufficient deterrence from any attacking nation by creating a fear of the consequences (Second strike).
Massive Retaliation: As per the Nuclear Doctrine, India’s second strike would be massive and the Triad supplements it.
Hence, the Triad provides resilience and feasibility to counter.
1.1.5 Limitations of India’s Nuclear Triad
The deterrence of a nuclear triad depends on the vehicles (platforms) and the capabilities of missiles. The Nuclear Triad of India, though complete, still faces a few shortcomings.
Regarding sea-based components:
There is a need for more than one SSBN (nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine) to ensure continuous deployment at sea.
The K-15 missiles’ utility is limited by its 750 km range, which means that to counter China, submarines need to be present in the South China Sea to make the K-15 effective.
The INS Arihant has the capacity to carry a lesser number of long-range K-4 missiles (still in development).
Regarding Strategic Bombers:
The air component of the triad includes nuclear warheaded Strategic Bombers for which India depends on other countries like Russia (Sukhoi), France (Rafale), etc.
This increases the import burden on the country as well. Thus, indigenisation of the platforms and missiles is the need of the hour.
Regarding land-based components:
India has ICBMs as part of the triad but these can be tracked by Ballistic Missile Defence technology in the early phase of flight.
Other advanced technologies such as Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems (FOBS), Hypersonic Glide Vehicles, Hypersonic Cruise Missiles, etc. need to be developed, and these are in the development stage in India.
1.1.6 Nuclear Command Authority UPSC
Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) was created in 2003 and is responsible for the management and administration of the country’s tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile.
India’s Nuclear Command Authority is a crucial body overseeing the country’s nuclear arsenal. It ensures the safe, secure, and controlled management of nuclear weapons.
Structure of Nuclear Command Authority UPSC:
The NCA follows a three-tiered structure with civilian and military leadership:
Political Council:
- Chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
- Responsible for authorizing the use of nuclear weapons.
- This council holds the ultimate decision-making power regarding nuclear deployment.
Executive Council:
- Headed by the National Security Advisor (NSA).
- Oversees the day-to-day operations and technical aspects of the nuclear arsenal.
- Executes directives provided by the Political Council.
Strategic Forces Command (SFC)
- The Strategic Forces Command (SFC), also known as the Strategic Nuclear Command, is an integral part of India’s nuclear arsenal management system. It functions under the direct authority of the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).
- The SFC acts as the operational arm of the NCA, translating those policies into concrete actions.
- The SFC is a tri-service command, headed by a three-star General or equivalent officer who rotates among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- Upon receiving clear authorization from the NCA, the SFC initiates the process of deploying nuclear weapons. This involves preparing the launch platforms, selecting targets based on NCA directives, and executing the launch orders.
- The SFC maintains a high state of operational readiness to ensure immediate and effective response if authorized by the NCA. This includes training, drills, and maintaining the reliability of delivery systems.
- The SFC develops and practices contingency plans for various scenarios involving a potential nuclear threat or attack.
Function of Nuclear Command Authority UPSC:
The NCA is responsible for the entire lifecycle of India’s nuclear weapons program, including:
- Command and control of nuclear weapons.
- Maintaining the safety, security, and reliability of nuclear weapons.
- Establishing clear chains of command and authorization procedures.
- Formulating nuclear doctrines and strategies.
1.1.6.1 National Security Council (NSC)
India also has a National Security Council, established in 1998, following the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee.
The Indian NSC advises the Prime Minister on matters related to national security and strategic issues. It is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes the National Security Advisor (NSA) as its chief advisor.
The NSC in India comprises various committees and sub-committees focused on different aspects of national security, such as defense, intelligence, and strategic planning.
The NSC Secretariat assists in policy formulation and coordination among relevant government agencies.
NSC has roles beyond nuclear deterrence.
1.1.6.2 Nuclear Doctrine of India UPSC
The doctrine was formally adopted in January, 2003, and says that nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or on Indian forces anywhere. The doctrine also stresses a massive retaliation policy against any nuclear aggression.
It reflects India’s No-First-Use Policy and Doctrine of Credible Minimum Deterrence (CMD).
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