Pakistan's Tactical Nuclear Weapons: Conflict Redux
Tactical nuclear weapons (TNWs), often referred to as "battlefield", "sub-strategic", or "non-strategic" nuclear weapons, usually have a plutonium core and are typically distinct from strategic nuclear weapons. Therefore, they warrant a separate consideration in the realm of nuclear security. The yield of such weapons is generally lower than that of strategic nuclear weapons and may range from the relatively low 0.1 kiloton to a few kilotons.
Pakistan's quest to acquire tactical nuclear weapons has added a dangerous dimension to the already precarious strategic equation in South Asia. The security discourse in the subcontinent revolves around the perennial apprehension of a conventional or subconventional conflict triggering a chain reaction, eventually paving the way for a potential nuclear crisis haunting peace and stability in the region. Pakistan believes that the successful testing of the 60-km nuclear-capable short-range missile Hatf 9 (Nasr) "adds deterrence value to Pakistan's strategic weapons development programme at shorter ranges."
In paradox, the fact remains that step has futher lowered Pakistan's muclear threshold thought the likely use of TNWs. The introducation of TNWs into the tactical battle area futher exacerbates credibility of their contoral Pakistan forgets that gives its Islamabad with a conventional strike in reaction to a 26/11 - style terrorist attack. Pakistan problem of developing a strategy to counter Pakistan's "first-strike" and proxy war in the light of its declared "no-first-use" policy.
This edited volume attempts to address and decipher complex issuse, including aspects such as China's WMD collaboration with Pakistan, nuclear command the technical aspects of the Nasr delivery system.
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Monika Chansoria