Weapons of War: the present & future

Since the dawn of mankind, weapon technology has evolved radically. From the utilization of blades and swords, to the invention of gunpowder, weapons has been made more deadly, with greater killing efficiency and accuracy. In the 21st century, new weapons of war has been created, radically changing how wars are fought. Wars in this century has been characterised by rapid deployments and projections of force, combined with superior firepower and technology to achieve devastating effects on the enemy.

As of today, many weapons systems are highly advanced, using state-of-the-art optics and tracking systems. An example of such is the Patriot Missile system which is able to destroy ballistic missiles and aircraft. It has been deployed during the Iraq Offensive, shooting down SCUD missiles, achieving astonishing results, and preventing many deaths. In addition, advanced armored vehicles has been making their debut around the world, such as the Leopard and the Abrams tanks. These tanks are the result of years of research & development. The Abrams tank had gone through a baptism of fire, and it proves highly effective in destroying enemy vehicles.

Several breakthroughs has been made in the field of airbourne weapons. Since the invention of the airplane, it has been used to wreak havoc & destruction on enemies below. However, the always face the threat of being detected and shot down by anti-aircraft weapons systems. This has changed since, with the invention of stealth technology. It has been successfully adapted to two separate airframes. First, the F-117 Nighthawk, also known as the 'Stealth Fighter' has a small radar cross section, which allows it to be virtually undetectable by enemy radar systems. This allows it to sneak behind enemy lines to disrupt/destroy command and control infrastructure. However, the best known of all is probably the B-2 Spirit 'Stealth Bomber'. This plane has a radical shape, making it look like a 'flying wing'. With a higher payload capacity than the F-117 Nighthawk, this aircraft can also carry nuclear weapons, serving as a nuclear deterrent.

So, with all these technology already in place, what does the future of warfare herald?

Research has already been made into the automation and computerization of weapon systems. For example, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle has already made its debut, helping armies around the world to gather information without putting a human pilot at risk. "Fire & forget' weapons are also on the drawing boards, with missiles that only require a human operator to launch it, and it would autonomously track and destroy its target with bone-chilling efficiency and accuracy. In addition, advanced personal armour has been created, known as the 'Dragon Skin' it allows its wearer to be almost impenetrable to convention rounds.

With all these new developments and research taking place, it will only be a matter of time when a new weapons system would revolutionize modern warfare.

Done by:
Ler Yi Poh
10A05

Weapons of War- Nuclear weapons in India

India has conflicts with China and Pakistan; and being one of the two countries that are predicted to be economic giants, it has had to watch its back for countries interested in standing in the way of its journey towards economic glory. Many countries believe that showing off ones power in the form of weapons of mast destruction is the best way to scare of or warn other countries to not mess with you.
India's nuclear weapons program was started at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center in Trombay In the mid-1950s. It is aimed at encouraging the civil use of nuclear technologies in exchange for assurances that they would not be used for military purposes. India's first nuclear test on May 18, 1974 was described by the Indian government as a "peaceful nuclear explosion."

It was only after 24 years that India resumed nuclear testing with a series of nuclear explosions known as "Operation Shatki." Prime Minister Vajpayee authorized the tests on April 8, 1998, two days after the Ghauri missile test-firing in Pakistan.

However, there is some controversy about these claims saying that the power of the weapon had been exaggerated by the Indian authorities in an attempt to mislead other countries. This lower yield raised skepticism about India's claims to have detonated a thermonuclear device, on which they had started work in the 1980s. This doubt has not been cleared.

More than knowing the power a country has at its finger tips, countries need to know how ready India would be to use these weapons in order to gauge if it is a threat to the world and its peace. According to a report in Jane's Intelligence Review, India's objective is to have a nuclear arsenal that is "strategically active but operationally dormant", which would allow India to maintain its retaliatory capability "within a matter of hours to weeks, while simultaneously exhibiting restraint." However, the report also maintains that, in the future, India may face increasing institutional pressure to shift its nuclear arsenal to a fully deployed status.

India has a declared nuclear no-first-use policy and is in the process of developing a nuclear doctrine based on "credible minimum deterrence." In August 1999, the Indian government released a draft of the doctrine which asserts that nuclear weapons are solely for deterrence and that India will pursue a policy of "retaliation only." The document also maintains that India "will not be the first to initiate a nuclear first strike, but will respond with punitive retaliation should deterrence fail" and that decisions to authorize the use of nuclear weapons would be made by the Prime Minister or his 'designated successor(s).'"

According to the NRDC, despite the escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan in 2001-2002, India remains committed to its nuclear no-first-use policy. But an Indian foreign ministry official told Defense News in 2000 that a "'no-first-strike' policy does not mean India will not have a first-strike capability."