6. India’s Strategic Programs: Nuclear and Defense
India has developed sophisticated, indigenous programs in both nuclear energy and defense technology, managed by premier government organizations.
6.1 Nuclear Energy Program in India
Nuclear power is India’s fourth-largest source of electricity.
- Current Capacity: India has 22 operating nuclear reactors across 8 power plants, with a total installed capacity of 6,780 MW. An additional 6 reactors are under construction.
- Major Projects: The Jaitapur plant (9,900 MW) is planned in collaboration with France, and the Kudankulam plant (2,000 MW) is an Indo-Russian collaboration.
- Fuel Supply: India’s domestic uranium reserves are limited, necessitating imports from Russia, Argentina, Kazakhstan, and other nations. Large deposits were recently discovered in the Tummalapalle belt in Karnataka.
- Operational Plants: Key plants are located in Rawatbhata (Rajasthan), Tarapur (Maharashtra), Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu), Kakrapar (Gujarat), Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu), Narora (Uttar Pradesh), and Kaiga (Karnataka).
6.2 India’s Nuclear Weapons and Defense Program
India’s strategic program encompasses nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare capabilities and policies.
- Nuclear Weapons: India conducted its first nuclear weapon test in 1974 and its first fusion weapon test in 1998. It maintains a credible nuclear deterrent.
- Biological and Chemical Warfare Stance: India has ratified both the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The nation pledges not to create biological weapons, viewing them as “cruel to human beings.” It has also declared and destroyed over 70% of its chemical weapon stockpile from 1997.
- Ballistic Missiles: India has developed a range of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
Key Indian Ballistic Missiles:
| Name | Type | Maximum Range (km) |
| Prithvi | Short-range surface-to-surface | 150 – 600 |
| Agni-I | Short to medium-range | 700 – 1,250 |
| Agni-II | Medium-range | 2,000 – 3,000 |
| Agni-III | Intermediate-range | 3,500 – 5,000 |
| Agni-IV | Intermediate-range | 3,000 – 4,000 |
| Agni-V | Intermediate to Intercontinental-range | 5,000 – 8,000 |
| Sagarika (K-15) | Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) | 700 |
| K-4 | SLBM | 3,500 |
6.3 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Established in 1958, the DRDO is the supreme body for India’s defense research and development, operating a network of over 50 laboratories.
- Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP): Conceived by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, this program aimed to achieve self-sufficiency in missile technology. It led to the development of:
- Prithvi: Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
- Trishul: Short-range surface-to-air missile.
- Akash: Medium-range surface-to-air missile.
- Nag: Third-generation anti-tank missile.
- Agni Series: A family of medium to intercontinental range, nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface ballistic missiles developed under the IGMDP and subsequent programs.