MUMBAI: Former chief of Atomic Energy Commission of India, Anil Kakodkar, who played a key role in the Pokhran nuclear weapons tests, said the main aim of the US conducting what is called a non-proliferation experiment last week was to assert its global nuclear hegemony and prevent other nations from conducting atomic tests.On Sept 30, the US conducted an experiment which will enable it to detect whether countries are carrying out low-yield nuclear explosions.Kakodkar told TOI, “The US is attempting to get more sensitivity in terms of nuclear tests detection. There is a generic understanding that nuclear tests will not be carried out. But what if a country executes a test camouflaged?”Asked whether the motive of the test jeopardised nuclear sovereignty of countries, he said the main aim was to assert global US nuclear leadership and stop other countries from carrying out atomic weapons tests.A recent study by Federation of American Scientists says that currently India has 190 nuclear warheads and has enough military plutonium for 140 to 225 nuclear warheads.Anil Anand, considered the father of India’s nuclear submarine programme, quoted US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and told TOI that in the experiment researchers gathered measurements using a broad suite of advanced sensors, including accelerometers, seismometers, chemical and radiotracer samplers. He said, “Together these measurements will improve scientists’ understanding of the signatures produced by underground explosions and strengthen US’ ability to detect and characterise nuclear explosive events.”According to NNSA, it “conducted a subsurface, non-nuclear chemical high-explosive experiment” at the Nevada National Security Site. An FB post by NNSA states, “If foreign countries test in secret, we will know.
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The goal? Keeping the US one step ahead.” It further said the experiment assumes significance in the context of China supposedly having conducted a nuclear test in June 2020 secretly.“It takes nuclear expertise to detect nuclear activities, and experiments like these ensure America remains unmatched in detection,” said Brandon Williams, NNSA administrator. “Trump Administration has made it clear that the US will lead from a position of strength. You cannot evade American innovation. With this experiment, we are sending a clear message that under this administration, America will never be outmatched.”
