critical materials in its missile development program, according to a nonprofit nuclear weapons think tank.
“The Risk Report” brought out by the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, notes that last October’s launch of the Agni missile “was a victory for the scores of arms that build India’s space rockets and nuclear-capable missiles.”
The report for January-February 1995 lists companies like Anup Engineering, Ahmedabad, Bharat Dynamics, Hyderabad, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Bangalore, and a score of other companies as “top contributors” to India’s rocket and missile activities.
It warns American firms that they must procure US export licenses if they know or are informed that their products will contribute to India’s missiles and space rockets.
Even after Washington was able to prevent Russia from selling India a cryogenic engine for its space rocket, the GSLV, in 1992, India’s procurement effort was detected again when a Massachusetts company was charged with violating US export laws by selling India components for a hot isocratic press.
“The press, which India obtained through the company’s Scottish subsidiary, can be used to shape advanced composites for missile nose cones,” the report says.
It also quotes a declassified 1993 CIA report which said a space launcher” could be converted relatively quickly by technologically advanced countries to a surface to surface missile, contrary to India’s argument that cryogenic engines were only suitable for space launchers.”
Speculating on what India may do next, the Risk Report again refers to the CIA’s assessment that New Delhi is working on perfecting a lightweight nuclear warhead, if that is the case, the report maintains, then India’s Agni missile could carry bombs to Beijing. “If India perfects an accurate long- range guidance system, its new space rocket could become an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile,” the report stresses.
“Success would change the strategic equation in Asia and make India a world nuclear power,” according to the authors who have so brought out two in-depth reports on India’s nuclear program.
India still needs crucial help, ac- cording to the Wisconsin project. Its shopping list includes aluminum alloy 2024-13 with protective coatings for use as load-bearing and structural members, ceramic chip capacitors, FM signal generator, function generators, gas field effect transistors and bare semi-conductor chip, gear head DC motor and slewing ring Bering equipment and software for the de- sign of optical systems, including millimeter and calibrator, oscillo scopes, torque motors and video imaging module.
“More than 100 companies, all linked to India’s rocket and missile effort, are the potential buyers” for the materials needed, the report says, adding that apart from the 20 listed in this issue, the Wisconsin project would be identifying the rest in upcoming.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 24, 1995
