Pakistan more than capable of securing its nuclear stockpiles: Pentagon

CFR report states that Pakistan could produce more than 200 nuclear devices by 2020


Web Desk November 26, 2014
Pakistan more than capable of securing its nuclear stockpiles: Pentagon

WASHINGTON: The US on Tuesday reiterated its belief that Pakistan has the capability to secure its expanding nuclear stockpiles.

During a Department of Defense briefing at the Pentagon on Tuesday, Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby was asked about Pakistan's expanding nuclear arsenal and the fear that some of it may fall into the wrong hands.

“We've long said that we believe Pakistan is more than capable of securing their stockpiles,” Kirby replied.

A report by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) released on Monday, titled ‘Strategic Stability in the Second Nuclear Age’, said that Pakistan harbours the fastest growing nuclear weapons programme in the world which could have enough fissile material to produce more than 200 nuclear devices by 2020.

Pakistan, the report said, has deployed or is developing 11 delivery systems for its nuclear warheads, including aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.

It also identified South Asia as the region “most at risk of a breakdown in strategic stability due to an explosive mixture of unresolved territorial disputes, cross-border terrorism and growing nuclear arsenals.”

COMMENTS (12)

Salu Khan | 10 years ago | Reply

Pakistan’s nuclear capability is appraisable; it has maintained the highest security safeguards by deploying a well-trained team of scientists and soldiers. Previously, the US has done the same praises several times but at the same time there is a false propaganda going on by few factions against the Pakistan’s nuclear program. Pentagon has to strictly monitor and should make sure such elements properly propagated not to spread this propaganda.

Naeem Gulzar | 10 years ago | Reply

Hmmm....

Seems like US doesn't want anything changed with the way PK stockpiles are stored/secured. I wonder why??? What I know... Around 2004-2006 right after a lot of hue & cry was made on the security of Pakistan's stockpiles, American offered PK govt help and got heavily involved in training Pakistan's SPD (Strategic Planning Division) in securing nuclear arsenal. They must have got valuable insight on what goes where, so now when they know all... All is good and they don't want anything changed.

I hope someones smart enough to know that you got to move things around and I hope they are doing it.

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