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SR Vol.47 [2010] >
SR Vol.47(07) [July 2010] >
| Title: | The Case of the Aging Nukes |
| Authors: | Murthy, M.S.S. |
| Issue Date: | Jul-2010 |
| Publisher: | CSIR |
| Abstract: | AFTER the nuclear
weapon tests by India and Pakistan in 1998, no other country has conducted such
tests except North Korea in recent years. Most of the nuclear weapon countries
have declared “no first use” moratorium. They deploy nuclear weapons only as a
deterrent. Under such circumstances, the reliability of the weapon has to be
more than 100 per cent to ensure the desired deterrence and also provide
national security. However, there is a problem. Some of these warheads are more
than 30 years old. Like all engineered systems, nuclear weapons also age and
this puts a question mark on their reliability.
No
system is engineered to sit inactive for years or decades and still be able to
spring into action in just a few moments notice. It cannot happen with a car, a
TV or even a bicycle. However, that is what is expected of a nuclear weapon. |
| Page(s): | 30-31 |
| ISSN: | 0036-8512 |
| Source: | SR Vol.47(07) [July 2010]
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