Asia’s Nuclear Threat: About 80 years ago, when a nuclear attack took place on two Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, people had to suffer its consequences for many years. Due to this nuclear attack on 6 and 9 August 1945, generations of people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki had to suffer from serious diseases. Now the threat of a nuclear attack is looming again, the reason for which is the increasing tension between the major powers of the world.
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The war between Russia and Ukraine has been going on for a long time, the fight between Israel and Hamas has taken the lives of many people and left millions homeless. On the other hand, Iran and Israel are also attacking each other. Not only this, due to the long-standing enmity between powers like India-Pakistan, China-Taiwan, India-China, their armies have clashed with each other many times. On the other hand, there is tension between many countries including Philippines and China regarding the South China Sea. Due to these tensions, these countries are engaged in increasing their military strength and due to this tension, the danger of nuclear war has started looming in the world.
India tested Agni-5
On March 11, India successfully tested the Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV). Its range is five thousand kilometers and it can target multiple targets simultaneously. The whole of Pakistan and half of China come under its range. It was tested in the year 2012, but now the missile was tested with MIRV. Earlier, China had deployed MIRV-capable DF-5 ICBM. The Federation of American Integrist Think Tank sees this test conducted by India as a response to the deployment of Chinese missiles.
Pakistan also has MIRV technology
Pakistan is also involved in the race of MIRV missiles. In 2017, it launched the MIRV capable Ababil medium-range ballistic missile. It is also buying Hangor class submarines from China, which will be capable of carrying the Pakistani Babur-3 nuclear armed cruise missile. On April 26, the Hangor class submarine built for Pakistan was launched in China. Now the rest of the submarines will be built in Pakistan itself. It has Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), which increases its life under water.
Shawn Rostker, a research analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation in Washington, believes that given the growing military power of India and Pakistan, they are just a few years away from deploying nuclear weapons on the border. He says that in a few years, missiles will also be deployed under the sea. However, it may take time for them to become nuclear capable. In 2018, India completed the first deterrent patrol of its indigenous nuclear-capable submarine of the Arihant class and in 2022 it was successfully tested with a ballistic missile.
Israel has nuclear weapons
Israel is one of the most powerful countries in the world in terms of weapons. Although it has always denied the talk of nuclear weapons, it is believed that it has or is preparing MIRV technology. Israel launched a German-made submarine in August last year. Experts believe that these Israeli submarines are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which makes it the only nuclear power in the Middle East. However, it is said about Iran that its uranium facility has enough uranium to make 12 nuclear weapons and it can make a nuclear bomb within 6 months.
Talking about nuclear weapons, America and Russia are spending money on modernizing their Cold War nuclear weapons. At the same time, the Chinese army is also engaged in increasing its capabilities. After the Cold War, America has deployed mid-range ballistic missiles against the Philippines for the first time. Philippines has also purchased Brahmos anti-shipping missiles from India, the first batch of which reached Manila last month in April.
