Missile Defence

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  • Missile Defence and China

    China has considerably improved its missile defence capabilities which is generally thought as a way to counter the US nuclear superiority after the abolition of the ABM Treaty. However, the Chinese responses show a broader understanding that the US nuclear superiority is more than a competition to reduce the efficiency of the Chinese deterrence.

    2023

    BrahMos: 25 Years of the Joint Venture

    India needs to more actively develop marketing and promotion networks to promote defence sales.

    May 29, 2023

    Vineet Ravindran asked: Is India developing a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle? What is its role in the Indian security environment? Does it enhance deterrence?

    Ajey Lele replies: Broadly, there are two main categories of hypersonic weapons, hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) and hypersonic cruise missiles. The HGVs are launched from a rocket towards the target, while hypersonic cruise missiles are powered by high-speed air-breathing engines called scramjets.

    Vasudhar Padma asked: Is the Chinese hypersonic development only directed towards the West? If not, what deterrence does India have?

    Ajey Lele replies: The main focus of Chinese hypersonic development is definitely the West. However, India needs to be careful since such capabilities can always come in handy for China if it decides to use them against India. Only recently, China has successfully tested its Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV). Earlier, during 2014–16, China had carried out six successful tests of DF-ZF, a hypersonic missile delivery vehicle. In 2018, China had tested three different designs of scaled-down hypersonic aircraft. 

    Pre-emptive Strike Capability: Shifting Winds in Japan?

    Japan’s quest for pre-emptive strike capability indicates a major shift in its defence doctrine. It is only a matter of time before Japan takes up such an offensive defence doctrine carrying a high possibility of conflict initiation/escalation with it.

    July 24, 2020

    Israel’s Laser-based Missile Interception System

    The laser-based aerospace defence assets, as and when they are fully developed and deployed, could prove to be a potent deterrent.

    February 07, 2020

    A Shield Against the Bomb : Ballistic Missile Defence in a Nuclear Environment

    For every major military invention in human history, there has quite always been a countervailing technology. Nuclear weapons have, however, remained an exception. Ballistic missile defence (BMD) has, in recent years, emerged as a formidable means to defend against nuclear-armed delivery systems though yet to prove their total reliability. What does the advent of BMD mean for the nuclear revolution – will it make nuclear weapons obsolete or in turn lead to a new arms race among great powers?

    2019

    B.R. Prakash asked: Indian Navy has a goal of being a net security provider in the IOR. With Chinese SLBM submarines operating, is there a case for developing a sea based ballistic missile defence?

    Abhay Kumar Singh replies: For operational flexibility, the ballistic missile defence (BMD) systems are not geographically fixed but are deployable. Sea based BMD systems are fitted on suitably modified naval platforms. Even though land based systems are transportable, it requires significant logistics during deployment. In addition, it remains essentially dormant during transit and takes time to be activated on arrival at their destination.

    Agni 5 Tested: What Next?

    Agni 5 Tested: What Next?

    Weapon development programs are successful when technological innovations are matched with national strategic goals. Further development of the Agni-5 should be based on the objectives of adding to the overall combat potential and augmenting deterrence.

    January 25, 2018

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