India's Ballistic Missile Defence Shield : A Strategic Analysis.Part B of it

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Phase Two

Radars ~

The Phase 2 system will have longer range radars (Detection range of 1,500km as opposed to 600 km for LRTR radar), and new hypersonic interceptor missiles flying at Mach 6-7 (As opposed to Mach 4-5 for Phase 1 missiles) with agility and the capability to discriminate against ballistic missile defence counter measures. Unlike the Phase 1 Swordfish radar developed by India in partnership with Israel, the radar to support Phase 2 interception will have 80% indigenous component, DRDO chief VK Saraswat told the press on May 15, 2011.

"Only some of the equipments and consultancy would be provided by Israel," Saraswat said

Working

Step One :~

Any enemy activity is detected through the systems, primary tracking and acquisition radar or the Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR) known as ‘Swordfish ’. Targets as far as 800+ kilometres can be immediately detected.

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Step Two :~

If a threat is detected, control centres are immediately warned of the impending threat. The system is devoid of any human intervention, the launch sequence for PAD/AAD is initiated and the system stands-by for launch authorization. Simultaneously, LRTR
tracks the detected threat continuously.


Step Three :~

The acquired data is continuously beamed to Mission Control Centre (MCC) . Powerful computational systems present in the centre immediately classify the threat.


Step Four :~

The acquired raw data is processed in
MCC . The LRTR further classifies the threat based on its range. The system also computes the trajectory, altitude and speed of the incoming threat.


Step Five :~

This information is further rechecked by multiple systems and a collated image is formed. The collated data sheet is now capable of pin-pointing the trajectory of the acquired threat. All these information are immediately assigned to an on-filed PAD/ AAD system.


Step Six:~

The information is picked up at the
Launch Control Centre (LCC) . The missile system now has minimal information about the impending threat. In an effort to drastically reduce the reaction time, LCC fires a volley of interceptor missiles.


Step Seven :~

The raw data is continuously processed and then valuable information is updated. The missile is continuously updated about the incoming threat. The missile system receives multiple mid-course updates through the flight with the help of the tracking radar. The missile is gradually guided towards the inbound threat.


Step Eight :~

As the missile closes in, the gas thrusters are fired along with the actuators. These systems guarantee that the missile can obtain a flawless intercepting trajectory.


Step Nine:~

As the intercepting missile nears its terminal phases, specially designed terminal seekers are remotely fired. These systems manoeuvre the missiles further towards the intended target.


Step Ten:~

Homing radars are activated at the final stages. A Radio Proximity Fuse (RPF) is used to detonate the charged warhead at a designated point. The projectiles then further penetrate through the intended target and results in the total annihilation of the incoming threat.

Phase Two in Detail

The Phase 2 missile defense system will be based on the AD-1 and AD-2 interceptor missile that are currently under development.

Phase 2 interceptors will have speeds of 6-7 Mach and they will be hypersonic. Missiles will have lesser time to intercept. Guidance systems have to be far more energetic and quick responsive.

"Ground testing of the AD-1 will begin next year and the AD-1 missile will be test-fired in 2012," Saraswat told India Today in June 2010.

These interceptors would be capable of shooting down missiles that have ranges greater than 5,000 km, which follow a distinctly different trajectory than a missile with a range of 2,000 km or less. During their final phase, ICBMs hurtle towards their targets at speeds twice those of intermediate range missiles.

The Phase 2 system will match the capability of the THAAD or Terminal High Altitude Area Defence missiles deployed by the United States as part of its missile shield beginning this year. THAAD missiles can intercept ballistic missiles over 200 km away and track targets at ranges in excess of 1,000 km.

Unlike the Phase 1 Swordfish radar developed by India in partnership with Israel, the radar to support Phase 2 interception will have 80% indigenous component, DRDO chief VK Saraswat told the press on May 15, 2011.

"Only some of the equipments and consultancy would be provided by Israel," Saraswat said.

Analysis

Effects and Responses

The Main Effect if viewed form an Indian Point of View would be that , India would safeguard it's big cities and Border Area from a direct strategic nuclear attack from Pakistan. As China and India both have a 'No First Use' policy they won't use any nukes against each others. Pakistani Analysts say that Indian BMDS disturbs the strategic balance in the region. Pakistan has said that as it cannot afford any BMDS type system it maintains the 'first use' policy and have deployed at border military bases that thing that they call 'Tactical Nuclear Weapons'. In case of Imbalance of Power in South Asia region , Pakistan has to take a more aggressive step with regards to it's nuclear arsenal and even consider more aggressive options to maintain Balance of Power. The BMDS practically does not guarantee a 100% safety from any Nuclear attack to an entire country , so Big in landmass as India but at least gives a confidence to Perform 'Massive Retaliation' in case nuclear deterrence fails. Pakistan has clearly stated that if the existence and sovereignty of thier nation would be under threat from an Indian invading force under cold start doctrine, then they would be using Suicidal Nukes called Nasr Missile on it's own land on Indian Troops.


Many Retired Senior Analyst and even the current ones have firmly assured that usage of Nuclear weapons on Indian troops on Pakistani soil can't be counted as a nuclear attack on India and hence Indians won't perform 'Massive Retaliation'. To this Indians are now adjusting thier Nuclear Doctrines and this matter is under discussion in India.

Satellite Kill Vehicle

ISRO is developing a satellite kill vehicle as part of its BMD system, according to DRDO Defence Research and Development Organisation Director General V.K. Saraswat.The hit-to-kill vehicle will use an imaging infra-red seeker and a 3-D laser image of a target satellite in low earth orbit to guide itself to impact. No tests of the system have been scheduled so far. "We are working to ensure space security and protect our satellites. At the same time we are also working on how to deny the enemy access to our space assets," Saraswat told newsmen at the Science Congress on January 04.

This satellite kill weapon would also have serious strategic issues vis a vis China and May be USA too. It is no secret that all Major Space Powers use spy satellites for surveillance and intelligence gathering purpose, even for communication and guidance of advanced long range weapons. During the 70s and 80s it was reported that US spy satellite constantly spy on South Asia to keep track on Nuclear weapons development programs of India and Pakistan. A satellite live feed was available in Pentagon and White House during the operation of US Navy SEALs in Pakistan which performed to kill Osama Bin Laden. It is quite safe to assume that despite US and India having friendly relations US would have spy satellites over India also. To safeguard India's strategic interests An Anti Satellite weapon becomes necessary. It also becomes necessary as an interceptor for those who would attempt to destroy Indian Satellites.

Conclusion

In comparison with US THAAD, Russian , Israeli The Indian BMDS offer's a nice reliance on protection against Strategic Medium Range and Long Range Missiles. The world is moving further and US and CHINA are developing a Hypersonic weapon that would be more effective delivery system for a nuclear attack. We made an article on these hypersonic weapons which you can find here on our website. These Hypersonic weapons in ReEntry fashion follows similar path as that of a ballistic missile. The BMDS provides protection from such futuristics weapons systems also. This makes BMDS a safety guarantor in any region wherever deployed.

Considering strategic balances in South Asia. Indians are of the opinion that they can't wait for the day that a radical takeover of power in Pakistan would through it's nuclear weapons in Vulnerable hands. So they would deploy BMDS over it's major cities. Being a nation that follows No First Use. It is important that India must survive the first use by it's adversary only then it's leaders would be in a position to order a retaliatory strike.

Feel free to ask any doubt regarding this article and express what you feel about this weapon system.

Part A

Image credits :-

Indian Defence News.

army-technology.com

Indian Defence Review.

Asian Defence News.

Pakistan Defence.

SanjeevPearlji Blogspot






Info Credits :-

Indian Aerospace Defence News

Defence.Pk

Army-Technology