The Promise of Small Satellites for National Security (NIAS Report No. R33-2015)

The Indian Space Programme has been the driver of many satellite-based applications in the civilian domain. Because of the dual use nature of space applications, the defence services have benefited from the ISRO space programmes The space services however, do not meet the total military space requirements. Small satellites are playing an important role in space applications. They are faster to build, are cost effective and better as they benefit from the use of latest technologies. Small satellite platforms can be adapted for optical and radar imaging remote sensing with good resolution. ELINT platforms can also be built around small satellite buses and an appropriate constellation of ELINT and imaging satellites can provide 24x7 surveillance of mobile targets. The potential of small satellites to meet military space requirements is described. The means of increasing the launch frequency is also studied

Hypersonic cruise missiles: an overview (NIAS/CSS/ISSSP/U/RR/23/2020)

The recent flight test of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) by DRDO and the earlier flight test of the Advanced Technology Vehicle by ISRO has rekindled the interest in hypersonic technologies and their adaptation to practical systems in the Country. Indian interests in pursuing hypersonic technologies using both analytical and experimental approach have been around since the late 1980s. This article examines the background, the present development status including the features and outcome of HSTDV flight. The international scenario and some of the technology challenges scaling to a full fledged system are brought out

An assessment of ballistic missile production capacity in Pakistan (NIAS Report No. R2-2007)

Pakistan has an active ballistic missile programme comprising four missiles based on solid propellant and one missile based on liquid propellant. Frequent reports are seen in the media regarding the missile flights along with statements pertaining to completion of troop exercises and handing over to the Army Strategic Force Command. In this report an attempt is made to assess the solid propellant based production capacity and gauge the number of missiles that may be produced and that may be in stock in Pakistan

Changing Nature of Deterrence: The Challenge of Asymmetric Threats

In spite of massive reduction in the nuclear weapon holdings in recent years, both Russia and the US hold impressive quantities of nuclear arms. Other nuclear weapon (P5) countries hold relatively limited number and some of them (France and UK)have not added significant numbers. Some of the late entrants in Asia continue to increase their arsenal in significant ways. New weapon systems, geopolitics (including nature of governments, leadership and economic disparity), unsettled borders, non-state actors, technology proliferation, lack of progress in disarmament, etc., are all contributing to the erosion of deterrence and strategic stability factors. As a result, in the world today, there are many unsettling factors, which are not only impacting the nature of deterrence but are also influencing the stabilizing/destabilizing criterion

An assessment of Pakistan's Babur HAFT 7 cruise missile (NIAS Report No. R5-2007)

Pakistan has developed the Babur subsonic cruise missile and conducted five flights of the missile between August 2005 and December 2007. The range of the missile was stated to be 500 km in the initial flights. However, an increased range of 700 km was claimed in the latest flight. There was also a suggestion that the range may be further increased to 1000 km. While the Pakistan media have shown pictures of the missile in the static and flight conditions, no dimensional or mass details of the missile have been officially released. An assessment of the missile dimensions has been carried out by studying these images. It is surmised that the missile diameter may be 560 mm and the total length 6.6 m. Other features of the missile have also been outlined

An assessment of China's ballistic and cruise missile programme (NIAS Report No. R4-2007)

The primary objective of this study is to provide an independent assessment of Chinese ballistic and cruise missile capability. The study also addresses the organisational, strategic and political links in China that impact upon its missile programme. Our study on the Chinese Ballistic and Cruise Missiles uses images of these missiles available in the public domain to make an independent assessment of their capabilities. Length and diameter measurements on the images of these missiles are used to estimate propellant and stage masses. These estimates are used along with trajectory and range models to assess the performance of the missiles. This methodology has been applied to the DF-1, the DF-2, the DF-3, the DF-4, the DF-5, the JL-1 / DF- 21, the JL-2 / DF-31, the DF-15 and the DF-11 ballistic missiles. The scope of our study also included the longer range cruise missiles. Since there were not many images of these missiles available in the public domain we were not able to extend these methods to cover them. However, we have taken stock of developments in Chinese cruise missiles. As and when images become available we believe that our approach can be used to assess their performance as well

Iran's safir launch vehicle (NIAS Report R1-2009)

Iran joined a select group of nations having indigenous satellite launch capability, when it orbited its Omid satellite on the night of February 02, 2009 on board its indigenously developed launch vehicle Safir 2. The event was widely covered in the media and images and video footage of the launch have been posted on the internet. According to the media information Safir is a two stage launch vehicle and Omid is a 27 kg ‘store and forward’ communication satellite with a life of 2 to 3 months. The satellite is placed in 248 x 378 km and orbits the earth 15 times a day

An assessment of Pakistan's Ballistic Missile Programme: Technical and Strategic Capability (NIAS Report No. R5-2006)

Though there is some material on the Pakistan missile programme in the public domain, it is still a very difficult task to separate out the wheat from the chaff and make a realistic assessment of the programme’s true capabilities. Information in the public domain is often noisy, garbled and distorted. There are also vested interests and leaks that further muddy already muddy waters. This study on the Pakistan missile programme attempts to provide an independent assessment of Pakistani missile capabilities through a careful scrutiny and analysis of publicly available data. We believe that such an independent assessment will contribute towards a better understanding of the capabilities of one of India’s most important neighbours

HATF-IX/ NASR - Pakistan's tactical nuclear weapon: implications for Indo-Pak deterrence (NIAS Report No.R17-2013)

On April 19, 2011 Pakistan conducted the first test flight of Hatf-IX (NASR) missile. The Pakistani Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) described the missile as a ‘Short Range Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile’. Till date there have been three tests of the missile system on April 19, 2011, May 29, 2012 and February 11, 2013. After each of the flight tests, the ISPR put out a largely identical press statement which stressed on the point that the “missile has been developed to add deterrence value to Pakistan’s Strategic Weapons Development programme at shorter ranges

North Korea's UNHA 3 space launch (NIAS Report No. R10-2012)

A major topic that grabbed international media attention recently related to North Korea's attempted launch of a 100kg satellite into a 500km polar orbit. This launch was North Korea's fourth attempt to put a satellite into earth orbit. three other attempts in 1999, 2006 and 2009 all ended in failure. According to North Korea the current launch is a part of the country's plans to use space for developmental purposes