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NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi connected Wednesday said the Pokhran II atomic tests showcased that “no powerfulness tin crook India”.Codenamed ‘Operation Shakti’, Pokhran II tests were a bid of 5 atomic weaponry explosions successful May 1998 that gave India authoritative introduction into the planetary “nuclear club” and the sixth state to state itself a nuclear-armed nation.
The atomic tests were conducted implicit 2 days successful 1998: May 11 (three tests) and May 13 (two tests).On the Pokhran II anniversary, Modi successful a station connected X said, “On this precise time successful 1998, the atomic tests conducted by India demonstrated to the satellite conscionable however unwavering our nation's resoluteness is! After the May 11 tests, the full satellite brought unit to carnivore connected India, but we demonstrated that nary powerfulness tin crook India. And interdependence of powerfulness and the almighty is established.
There is nary powerfulness without Shiva, nor Shiva without power.
”India accrued its atomic warhead number from 172 successful 2024 to 180 by aboriginal 2025 (slightly much than Pakistan’s 170 nukes), and estimations bespeak further maturation to 190 by 2026, according to a SIPRI 2025 report. “India continued to make caller types of atomic transportation systems. India’s caller ‘canisterised’ missiles, which tin beryllium transported with mated warheads, whitethorn beryllium susceptible of carrying atomic warheads during peacetime, and perchance adjacent aggregate warheads connected each missile, erstwhile they go operational,” the study said.
India has been upgrading its atomic transportation systems and actively maturing its atomic triad — land, aerial and oversea capabilities — with a absorption connected achieving a “credible minimum deterrence” and an assured second-strike capability. On May 8 this year, India successfully flight-tested an precocious Agni rocket equipped with MIRV capability, enabling a azygous rocket to transportation aggregate atomic warheads.The Indian Air Force (IAF), connected its part, has besides importantly enhanced the aerial constituent of its atomic triad, moving towards a much diversified and susceptible fleet to guarantee robust deterrence.
While older, battle-proven platforms similar Jaguar combatant jets and Mirage 2000 stay successful service, the integration of advanced, multi-role fighters similar Rafales and Sukhois is cardinal to this strategical shift.India has besides expanded its Arihant-class submarine programme to 4 nuclear-powered ballistic rocket submarines (SSBNs) arsenic portion of the precocious exertion Vessel (ATV) project, aiming to guarantee a survivable second-strike capability. INS Arihant, INS Arighaat and INS Aridhaman carrying nuclear-capable K-15 and K-4 missiles person already been commissioned into the Navy. The 4th submarine is successful the making and volition beryllium commissioned successful adjacent future.
