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Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, also known as MIRVs, on China and India's ballistic missiles potentially pose a more serious threat to the world than Iran or North Korea's nuclear programs.
Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, also known as MIRVs, on China and India's ballistic missiles potentially pose a more serious threat to the world than Iran or North Korea's nuclear programs, reported Zachary Keck, the managing editor of Washington-based The National Interest magazine on Dec. 19.
Keck said that MIRVs allow Chinese and Indian missiles to carry payloads of several nuclear warheads. Each of which can be directed at a different set of targets after the missiles are launched. It allows the nuclear warheads to be less vulnerable to anti-ballistic missile systems as well. This gives the MIRV system the dangerous capability to destabilize the strategic balance established during the Cold War.
First, a single missile containing a MIRV system can be used to eliminate numerous enemy nuclear sites simultaneously using only a small portion of its missile force. Second, the kill probability can be increased since the MIRV system allows missile to hit the same target more than one time. The weapon system has the potential to trigger a nuclear arms race, Keck said.
After the US deployed its first missiles with MIRV systems in 1968, the then-Soviet Union increased its number of nuclear warheads from 10,000 to 25,000. In the same time, the Soviet Union deployed its own missiles with MIRV systems. China and India used to maintain minimum deterrence and no-first use doctrines in regards to their nuclear missiles. Yet now, with the introduction of MIRV systems, the author said that the size of those two naitons's nuclear forces will expand.
While India's MIRV systems pose an immediate threat to Pakistan, the article said that China can pose a similar danger to Russia. Russia currently holds vastly more nuclear warheads than China. This is considered a source of relief for Moscow. This too will change though, as China begins to equip MIRV systems with its missiles and expands the size of its nuclear force. To prevent its nuclear superiority from eroding, Moscow must abrogate its arms control treaties with the United States.
Defence News - MIRV: game changing weapons system held by India and China
Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, also known as MIRVs, on China and India's ballistic missiles potentially pose a more serious threat to the world than Iran or North Korea's nuclear programs, reported Zachary Keck, the managing editor of Washington-based The National Interest magazine on Dec. 19.
Keck said that MIRVs allow Chinese and Indian missiles to carry payloads of several nuclear warheads. Each of which can be directed at a different set of targets after the missiles are launched. It allows the nuclear warheads to be less vulnerable to anti-ballistic missile systems as well. This gives the MIRV system the dangerous capability to destabilize the strategic balance established during the Cold War.
First, a single missile containing a MIRV system can be used to eliminate numerous enemy nuclear sites simultaneously using only a small portion of its missile force. Second, the kill probability can be increased since the MIRV system allows missile to hit the same target more than one time. The weapon system has the potential to trigger a nuclear arms race, Keck said.
After the US deployed its first missiles with MIRV systems in 1968, the then-Soviet Union increased its number of nuclear warheads from 10,000 to 25,000. In the same time, the Soviet Union deployed its own missiles with MIRV systems. China and India used to maintain minimum deterrence and no-first use doctrines in regards to their nuclear missiles. Yet now, with the introduction of MIRV systems, the author said that the size of those two naitons's nuclear forces will expand.
While India's MIRV systems pose an immediate threat to Pakistan, the article said that China can pose a similar danger to Russia. Russia currently holds vastly more nuclear warheads than China. This is considered a source of relief for Moscow. This too will change though, as China begins to equip MIRV systems with its missiles and expands the size of its nuclear force. To prevent its nuclear superiority from eroding, Moscow must abrogate its arms control treaties with the United States.
Defence News - MIRV: game changing weapons system held by India and China
