Latest news with #Dongfeng-41
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First Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
From deterrence to danger: How Trump policy is fuelling global nuclear risks
With a slew of decisions over many years, US President Donald Trump has raised the risk of a nuclear catastrophe to the highest level in years, undoing decades of nuclear arms reduction and non-proliferation efforts. read more A Dongfeng-41 intercontinental strategic nuclear missiles group formation marches to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Beijing, on October 1, 2019 (Photo: Shen Shi/Imagine China/Reuters) In the latest episode of dangerous nuclear sabre-rattling, Russia on Monday ended the moratorium on the deployment of nuclear-capable intermediate range missiles. The development came days after US President Donald Trump deployed nuclear submarines near Russian waters in response to threats of war from Dmitry Medvedev, a top ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. With such back and forth actions over the past years, often triggered by impulsive decision-making of Trump, decades of nuclear arms reduction and nuclear non-proliferation efforts are being undone and the world is now closest that it has been to a nuclear catastrophe in decades. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It's not just that nuclear powers like the United States, Russia, and China, that are building more nuclear weapons and modernising delivery platforms. But more countries, such as those traditionally under the US security umbrella in Europe and East Asia, are considering developing own nuclear weapons as well. While every country, whether Poland in Europe or South Korea in Asia, has its own rationale, the reason underpinning all such pursuits is Trump's disruption of the international world order that he began in his first term. As a result, the likes of Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and even Japan, conversations around the development of a nuclear weapon are no longer taboo. His mistaken strategy of 'maximum pressure' had already put Iran on the brink of developing a nuclear weapon, necessitating the three-war earlier this year. Trump & Putin flex nuclear muscles Over the past two weeks, the war of words between the United States and Russia finally led to real-world consequences. Since the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Putin and his top allies like Medvedev had frequently invoked nuclear weapons. Medvedev frequently threatened Western capitals with nuclear strikes over their support of Ukraine. Last month, Medvedev finally overstepped with his personal feud with Putin on X. After he threatened the United States with a direct war, Trump ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines near Russia. Days later, Russia responded by withdrawing from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Trump had already withdrawn the United States from the INF in his first term in 2019. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Under the treaty, which was originally signed in 1987 between the United States and Soviet Union, the two countries had agreed to ban and gradually dismantle intermediate- and short-range nuclear missiles between the range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres. Trump kills arms control treaties The INF is not the only arms control treaty that Trump has quit. In 2020, Trump withdrew the United States from the Open Skies Treaty with Russia, which allowed the two countries to fly over each other's territories with sensor equipment to assure that none of them were preparing for conflict. In his usual hubris, Trump had said that he would make new treaties with Russia for INF and Open Skies. Those deals, of course, never happened. Instead, in 2023, Russia quit the New START treaty, which was the last remaining arms control agreement with the United States. Under the New START treaty signed in 2010, which succeeded the Moscow Treaty of 2002, the two countries agreed to 1,550 strategic nuclear warheads and up to 800 delivery platforms of various types. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump nudges friends & foes alike towards nukes With his actions, Trump has consistently nudged allies and adversaries alike towards nuclear weapons since his first term. In the first term, Trump withdrew the United Stats from the Iran nuclear deal of 2015 and applied the 'maximum pressure' strategy. While his idea was to pressure Iran into negotiating a new deal that purportedly favoured the United States, it turned out to be a spectacular failure and pushed Iran towards the brink of developing a nuclear weapon. Israel used Iran's near-nuclear weapons status as a pretext for war earlier this year that eventually dragged the United States into the conflict as well. As Trump has virtually withdrawn the longstanding security commitment to Europe under Nato's collective defence principle out of his friendship with Putin and has threatened to abandon Asian allies like Japan and South Korea as well, there is anxiety in these countries that their adversaries —Russia in Europe and China and North Korea in Asia— could use the US abandonment as an encouragement for a more muscular policy or even pursue outright attacks and invasions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Such concerns have led to real conversations in countries like Poland, South Korea, and Japan about developing nuclear weapons as ultimate deterrence. In West Asia, Saudi Arabia is believed to have similar discussions as well.
First Post
17-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
China's nuclear arsenal growing fastest, to touch 1,500 warheads by 2035: SIPRI
China has the world's fastest-growing nuclear weapons arsenal and could have as many intercontinental ballistic missiles as the United States and Russia by 2030, according to latest analysis from the Stockholm International Peace Institute (SIPRI). read more A Dongfeng-41 intercontinental strategic nuclear missiles group formation marches to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in Beijing, on October 1, 2019 (Photo: Shen Shi/Imagine China/Reuters) China has the world's fastest-growing nuclear arsenal that is expected to more than double over the next decade, according to latest analysis from the Stockholm International Peace Institute (SIPRI). In the SIPRI Yearbook 2025, analysts said that China is adding 100 nuclear warheads to its arsenal every year and has at least 600 nuclear warheads. By 2025, China is expected to have 1,500 warheads, according to the analysis. The SIPRI's findings are in line with the US intelligence assessment from last year that found that China has been carrying out 'most rapid expansion and ambitious modernisation of its nuclear forces in history'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The United States and Russia have the world's largest nuclear arsenals with more than 10,500 warheads among them. China could have as many ICBMs as US, Russia China is not just expanding the nuclear arsenals, but is also expanding storage and launch sites, according to SIPRI. By 2035, China would have completed around 350 new silos for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in three large desert fields in the country's north and three mountainous areas in the country's east, as per SIPRI. Analysts noted that this would mean that China could potentially have at least as many ICBMs as either the United States or Russia by the end of the decade even though nuclear warheads would just be a tiny fraction compared to them. Photo Credit: Stockholm International Peace Institute (SIPRI) In an assessment last year, the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) doubled its estimate of China's nuclear arsenal and said that China had more than 500 nuclear weapons and was on track to have more than 1,000 by 2030. In 2023, China was assessed to have 200 warheads. Among the most concerning findings, the DIA said that China could junk the no-first-use (NFU) policy and may be open to a 'limited' nuclear war.
India.com
11-05-2025
- General
- India.com
Cruise VS Ballistic VS Hypersonic Missiles: Which One Is More Lethal? Check Range, Speed And Accuracy
photoDetails english 2899435 Cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles differ in speed, flight path, and interception difficulty. Cruise missiles fly at low altitudes within the Earth's atmosphere at subsonic or supersonic speeds. Ballistic missiles follow a high-arching trajectory, leaving and re-entering the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds. Hypersonic missiles travel faster than Mach 5, maneuver mid-flight, and are nearly impossible to intercept. While ICBMs have long ranges, hypersonic missiles offer speed and unpredictability, though they are costly to develop. Updated:May 11, 2025, 12:27 PM IST Cruise, Ballistic, and Hypersonic Missiles 1 / 8 Missiles play a crucial role in modern warfare, with countries constantly developing advanced technology to gain an edge. The three main types—cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic—differ in speed, flight trajectory, and strike capability, making each suited for specific military objectives. Let's delve deeply into what makes these missiles distinct from each other and their unique capabilities. Cruise Missiles Speed 2 / 8 A cruise missile is a guided weapon that flies horizontally within the Earth's atmosphere. It typically travels at subsonic speeds of Mach 0.8-0.9, though some versions can reach Mach 2-3. According to The Economic Times, these missiles rely on GPS, radar, or terrain contour matching (TERCOM) for guidance. They follow a low-altitude flight path, making them difficult to detect by radar. However, The Hindu reported that their slower speeds make them vulnerable to interception by advanced air defense systems. Ballistic Missiles Range 3 / 8 Ballistic missiles, unlike cruise missiles, follow a high-arching trajectory. They are launched into space and then descend toward their target using gravity. The Indian Express explained that these missiles leave the Earth's atmosphere during their mid-course phase before re-entering at hypersonic speeds ranging from Mach 10 to 20. Due to their long range, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) can travel over 5,500 km. However, their high-altitude trajectory makes them easily detectable by radar, as reported by Hindustan Times. Additionally, they require a longer preparation time before launch. Ballistic Missile Examples 4 / 8 India's Agni missiles, the U.S. Minuteman III, and China's Dongfeng-41 are some of the most well-known ballistic missiles, according to NDTV. These weapons provide strategic deterrence and are often equipped with nuclear warheads. Hypersonic Missiles Speed, Range 5 / 8 Hypersonic missiles are the fastest among the three, traveling at speeds above Mach 5 and reaching up to Mach 25. BBC reported that these missiles use either boost-glide systems or air-breathing cruise engines. Unlike ballistic missiles, they do not follow a fixed trajectory and can maneuver mid-flight, making them highly unpredictable. This ability makes them nearly impossible to intercept, even with the most advanced defense systems. Countries Who Own Hypersonic Missiles 6 / 8 Their speed and agility make hypersonic missiles a game-changer in modern warfare. However, according to The Print, the high cost and technological complexity involved in their development remain a challenge. Despite this, nations like Russia, the U.S., and China are heavily investing in them. Russia's Avangard, the U.S. HAWC (Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept), and China's DF-Z are some of the most notable examples, reported Al Jazeera. Cruise vs Ballistic vs Hypersonic: Accuracy 7 / 8 Cruise missiles use GPS, radar, or TERCOM for navigation, ensuring precision. Ballistic missiles are guided mainly in the boost and mid-course phases, with some having terminal-phase guidance for precision strikes. While, Hypersonic missiles use real-time targeting and AI, making them highly precise while also being difficult to intercept. India's Hypersonic Missile 8 / 8 India conducted a successful test of its first long-range hypersonic missile on November 16, 2024. The test took place at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile is capable of delivering payloads over a range of 1,500 kilometers. India joins a select group of nations, including the United States, Russia, and China, that have developed hypersonic missile technology. The successful test marks a significant step in strengthening the country's defense capabilities.
