13th May 2025 (13 Topics)
Pakistan’s Nuclear Capabilities
Context
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation following Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike conducted by India against Pakistan in response to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack. In a significant policy assertion, he declared that “no nuclear blackmail will be tolerated by India”. India would no longer be deterred by Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities, which had long been perceived as a shield for cross-border terrorism.
Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons Capability
- Nuclear Doctrine and Policy: Pakistan does not adhere to a No First Use policy, meaning it reserves the right to use nuclear weapons first if it perceives a serious threat to its sovereignty or national survival.
- Command and Control Structure: Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is controlled by the National Command Authority (NCA), which is officially chaired by the Prime Minister.
- Nuclear plants in operation in Pakistan: Pakistan has six operable reactors.
- Chashma Nuclear Power Plant 1 (C-1)
- Chashma Nuclear Power Plant 2 (C-2)
- Chashma Nuclear Power Plant 3 (C-3)
- Chashma Nuclear Power Plant 4 (C-4)
- Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (K-2)
- Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (K-3)
- Nuclear Delivery Systems: Pakistan has developed a wide range of delivery systems, though it does not yet have a fully operational nuclear triad.
- Land-based missile systems include Shaheen I and II, Ghauri, and the recently tested Ababeel missile, which is reported to be capable of carrying Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs). The short-range Nasr (Hatf-IX) missile is Pakistan’s tactical nuclear weapon, intended for battlefield use.
- Air-based delivery systems include F-16s and Mirage aircraft, which have been modified to carry Ra’ad air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs) and free-fall nuclear bombs. The Ra’ad has a range of about 350 km, offering strategic strike options within the region.
- Sea-based capability is still under development. Pakistan has tested the Babur-3 submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM), with a range of approximately 450 km, from an underwater platform. However, it does not yet possess a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), meaning its second-strike capability remains limited and under development.
- Nuclear Weapons Storage & Airbases: Sargodha Weapons Storage Complex, Sargodha Air Base, Shahbaz Air Base (Jacobabad)
- Uranium Enrichment & Nuclear Facilities: Kahuta, Khushab, Chashma, Wah, Nilor, Fateh Jang, Garhwal
- Pakistani missiles capable to carry nuclear warheads: Shaheen-I/A (Hatf-4), Nasr (Hatf-9), Abdali (Hatf-2), Ghaznavi (Hatf-3), Ghauri (Hatf-5) and Shaheen-2 (Hatf-6) missiles.
- Estimated Nuclear Arsenal: As of 2025, Pakistan is estimated to have around 170 nuclear warheads.
Nuclear Policy/Doctrine
|
Aspect |
India |
Pakistan |
|
Declared Doctrine |
No First Use (NFU) — India pledges not to use nuclear weapons unless first attacked by nuclear weapons. |
First Use (Conditional) — Pakistan reserves the right to use nuclear weapons first, especially if its existence is threatened. |
|
Posture |
Credible Minimum Deterrence — Aimed at deterring adversaries, not warfighting. |
Full-Spectrum Deterrence — Includes tactical and strategic nuclear options to counter conventional and nuclear threats. |
|
Strategic Messaging |
Nuclear use only in retaliation; any nuclear strike (tactical or strategic) will lead to massive retaliation. |
Emphasizes nuclear deterrence in response to India's conventional superiority; threats occasionally publicized by political figures. |
India’s nuclear policy
|
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