Nuclear Triad

NUCLEAR TRIAD

• The term “Nuclear Triad” refers to the ability to deliver nuclear weapons by ballistic missiles launched from submarines, aircraft and land.

• India announced the launch of its nuclear triad following the development of an indigenous Ship Submersible Ballistic

The components of the Nuclear Triad in India

Like those of other countries, India has three nuclear weapons:land, air, and naval (sea) where each one is capable of launching a nuclear strike.

• Land-based Components

• It mostly consists of missiles that may be launched from land-based platforms, such as ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles), SRBMs (Short Range Ballistic Missiles), etc. The ICBMs are quite responsive and devastating.

• Because ICBMs may be launched and reach targets in minutes and are stationed in hundreds of silos, opponents face an almost impossible targeting challenge.

• For instance, the Agni-V missile’s nuclear payload may travel up to 5500 kilometers.

• DRDO under Mission Divyastra developed Agni-5

missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV)

• The Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, and other land-based missiles are capable of supporting the triad.

Sea-based components

• This component mostly consists of Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear Submarines (SSBNs).

• The SSBNs are considered survivable because a component of the fleet is always on patrol, making it difficult for potential opponents to locate them altogether, which contributes to their survival.

• For example, INS Arihant has K-15 Sagarika missiles (700 km range) and K-4 missiles (3500 km range).

• Also, testing with INS Arighat are ongoing, with the possibility of being inducted by 2024.

• It is more suited for carrying more K-4 missiles than INS Arihant.

• Because their position is unknown, SSBNs play an important role in the Second Strike against any nuclear assault, supplementing the Nuclear Doctrine.

Air-based components

• It mostly consists of bombers, which are regarded as versatile offensive weapons. The bomber aircraft are adaptable and can resolve crises while also providing a number of deployment and yield options when placed on alert.

• The Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000H, SEPECAT Jaguar, and, most importantly, the Rafale would all be suitable as bombers.

• Strategic Forces Command, which is part of the Nuclear Command Authority, controls land and air strike capabilities.

• The NCA was established in 2003 and is in charge of managing and administering the country’s tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile.

Significance of the Nuclear Triad in India

Provides National Security: India is one of only a few countries (including the US, Russia, China, India, and Pakistan) with nuclear triad capabilities. The Nuclear Triad plays an important role in providing national security.

Capability for Second Strike: The Nuclear Triad assists a country in counter-attacking a nation after being attacked by nuclear warheads. This trinity ensures that even if hit by a nuclear bomb, one can counter the attacking nation.

Credible Minimum Deterrence: One of the goals of India’s Nuclear Doctrine is credible minimum deterrence, which is reinforced by having a fully functional nuclear triad.

• By instilling dread of the repercussions, it offers adequate deterrent against any nation that could attack (Second strike).

• Massive Retaliation: India would launch a large second

strike in accordance with the Nuclear Doctrine, which is reinforced by the Triad.

As a result, the Triad offers counterbalance and viability.

Limitations of the Nuclear Triad in India

The ability of missiles and vehicles (platforms) to deter a nuclear triad is dependent upon each other. Despite being finished, India’s Nuclear Triad still has certain issues.

• As part of the triad, India possesses ICBMs, but Ballistic Missile Defence technology can monitor them early in their flight.

• India depends on other nations, such as France (Rafale) and Russia (Sukhoi), for its Strategic Bombers, which are part of the triad’s air component.

• To guarantee continuous deployment at sea, multiple SSBNs (nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines) are required.

• This also adds to the country’s import burden. Therefore, it is imperative that platforms and missiles be indigenous.

Conclusion

India has a very important nuclear triad that includes air, sea, and land-based nuclear delivery platforms. It keeps the region stable and acts as a strong deterrent to prospective enemies considering nuclear aggression. The diversification of the triad guarantees India’s nuclear arsenal’s survival even in the event of a first-strike. India can successfully repel pre-emptive strikes by effectively responding to a nuclear attack with a credible second-strike capability.