Know more about nuclear weapons of India, China

New Delhi: As two rising Asian powers with high GDP growths and increasing geo-political influence, India and China have been arch rivals in their race to superpowerdom. The race for regional dominance between these two countries has also spawned a race for militarisation, with India sparing no efforts to match China's military might. The most authoritative non-governmental assessment of world nuclear forces has revealed that India's nuclear capabilities are seriously lagging behind those of its putative adversary, China. A series of recent estimates by international nuclear watchdogs and reputed thinktanks hold that China has a total of about 240 warheads compared to India's 90 to 100. A comparative analysis is therefore overdue, to see how India and China fare against each other in their military strengths. Chinese land-based ballistic missiles Although unconfirmed, most Western analysts believe China has deployed anywhere from 18 to 36 Dongfeng 5 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) since the 1980s. The Dongfeng 5A is a single-warhead, three-stage, liquid-fueled missile with a range of 13,000+ km. Since the early 21st century, the Second Artillery Corps have also deployed up to 10 Solid-fueled mobile DF-31 ICBMs, with a range of 7,200+ km and possibly up to 3 MIRVs. China has also developed the DF-31A, an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 11,200+ km with possibly 3-6 multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) capability. Strategic bombing China's bomber force consists mostly of Chinese-made versions of Soviet aircraft. The People's Liberation Army Air Force has 120 H-6s. These bombers are outfitted to carry nuclear as well as conventional weapons. While the H-6 fleet is aging, it is not as old as the American B-52 Stratofortress. The Chinese have also produced the Xian JH-7 Flying Leopard fighter-bomber with a range and payload exceeding the F-111 capable of delivering a nuclear strike. China has also bought the advanced Sukhoi Su-30 from Russia; currently, about 100 Su-30s have been purchased by China. The Su-30 is capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons. China is alleged to be testing rumored new H-8 and H-9 strategic bombers which are either described as an upgraded H-6 or an aircraft in the same class as the US B-2, able to carry nuclear weapons.Sea-based ballistic missiles The submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) stockpile of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is thought to be relatively new. China launched its first second-generation nuclear submarine in April 1981. The navy currently has a 1 Type 092 Xia class SSBN at roughly 8000 tons displacement. A second Type 092 was reportedly lost in an accident in 1985. The Type 092 is equipped with 12 JL-1 SLBMs with a range of 2150–2500 km. The JL-1 is a modified DF-21 missile. The Chinese navy has developed Type 094 ballistic missile submarine, open source satellite imagery has shown that at least 2 of these have been completed. This submarine will be capable of carrying 12 of the longer ranged, more modern JL-2s with a range of approximately 14000 km. China is also developing the Type 096 submarine, claimed to be able to carry up to 24 JL-2 ballistic missiles each. Some Chinese sources states that the submarine is already undergoing trials.Indian land-based ballistic missiles The land-based nuclear weapons of India are under the control of and deployed by the Indian Army, using a variety of both vehicles and launching silos. They currently consist of three different types of ballistic missiles, the Agni-I, the Agni-II, Agni-III and the Army's variant of the Prithvi missile family - the Prithvi-I. Additional variants of the Agni missile series are currently under-development, which are due to enter full operational service in the near future. Agni-VI is also under development, with an envisioned range of 6000–8000 km and features such as Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles.Strategic bombing India has nuclear-capable fighter aircraft such as the Dassault Mirage 2000H, Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, MIG-29, SEPECAT Jaguar and HAL Tejas. Sea-based ballistic missiles India operates a nuclear-powered submarine INS Chakra. INS Arihant is designed for strategic deterrence and will carry nuclear-tipped SLBMs. DRDO, is working on Sagarika, a submarine-launched ballistic missile. The missile was successfully tested for the fourteenth time on January 27, 2013 in the Bay of Bengal. The missile is expected to provide India with a credible sea-based second-strike capability. Also, K-4, with a range of about 5000 km and a part of the K Missile family is being developed.

Know more about nuclear weapons of India, China

New Delhi: As two rising Asian powers with high GDP growths and increasing geo-political influence, India and China have been arch rivals in their race to superpowerdom. The race for regional dominance between these two

Top News

Rahul Gandhi writes to Amit Shah, seeks accountability over 'barbaric assault' on students

India emerging as trusted global defence partner: PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat

India issues advisory for nationals working on ships in Black Sea amid rising missile, drone attacks

From Manto to Jantar Mantar: How Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hain became the voice of protest