Tactical Nuclear Weapons (TNWs) or Flexible Response Choosing the Right Strategy
The entry of Tactical Nuclear Weapons (TNWs) and Nasr missile into Pakistan military armoury and the development of military strategy thereafter have been considered a major breakthrough to counter India's Cold Start Doctrine or Proactive Military Strategy. The Cold Start Doctrine of India as a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Pluto Journals
2016-01-01
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| Series: | Policy Perspectives |
| Online Access: | https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.13169/polipers.13.1.0135 |
| Summary: | The entry of Tactical Nuclear Weapons (TNWs) and Nasr missile into Pakistan military armoury and the development of military strategy thereafter have been considered a major breakthrough to counter India's Cold Start Doctrine or Proactive Military Strategy. The Cold Start Doctrine of India as a Limited Warfare Concept gestates on countering sub-conventional war emanating from Pakistan while remaining below the nuclear threshold. In an effort to regain the balance and offset the doctrinal as well conventional asymmetry available to India, Pakistan considers employment of TNWs to counter India's Cold Start Doctrine. However, the strategic thinking prevailing in India as well as in Pakistan considered to have effectively countered each other's strategies and have conceptual shortfalls. There is a stability/instability paradox and the presupposition that initiation of hostilities by one side may lead towards a nuclear exchange and destruction of both states. In this background, the study evaluates TNWs on a conceptual platform, examines the role of India's Cold Start Doctrine/Proactive Military Strategy and Pakistan's embryonic concept of TNWs in deterrence stability and instability in South Asia, in order to draw pertinent lessons for Pakistan to ensure deterrence stability in the region. |
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| ISSN: | 1812-1829 1812-7347 |