Last week a report in the US-based ‘Bulletin Of The Atomic Scientists’ dated September 9 stated theat , Pakistan’s stockpile could grow to around 200 warheads by 2025, if the current trend continues.The report states that Pakistan could have produced 690 grams of tritium by the end of 2020, that is sufficient to boost over 100 weapons .The country continues to expand its nuclear arsenal with more warheads, more delivery systems and a growing fissile materials production industry
The report has emphasised that Pakistan’s expansion of nuclear weapons will largely depend upon India strengthening its nuclear weapons programme. Analysis of a large number of commercial satellite images of Pakistani army garrisons and air force bases shows what appear to be launchers and facilities that might be related to the nuclear forces. Pakistan is clearly engaged in a significant build-up of its nuclear forces and has been for some time,
Pakistan’s nuclear missile arsenal consists primarily of short to medium-range ballistic missiles but is making significant progress in its cruise missile capabilities ,and trying to develop new short-range tactical weapons, sea-based cruise missiles, air-launched cruise missiles, and longer-range ballistic missiles
The paper examines the various platforms used to transport nuclear weapons, including as ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as aircraft.
Pakistan has two versions of US-made F-16s as well as the China-assisted JF-17 fighter jets; however, the nature of their nuclear capabilities remains unclear
But for nuclear strike missions, the Pakistan Air Force still relies on an aircraft it first inducted in 1967: The French-built Mirage III.various reports suggested that , The F-16 A/B has about 24 launchers and a range of 1,600 kilomters (km) while the Mirage III/V has approximately 12 launchers and a range of 2,100 km
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