On this day in May 1998, India conducted three underground nuclear tests. Major foreign powers which includes the US, Israel, UK, Germany, Canada, Russia and France have provided critical support to India in it's nuclear program. I'll explain in this thread:
1. Canada gave a 40 MW nuclear research reactor along with two 200 MW power reactors to India in 1960. It also provided fuel for India's first two heavy water power reactors in Rajasthan. They were emulated by the Indians to build their own RAPS 1 and RAPS 2.
2. The French govt helped the Indian engineers in the fabrication of the un-safeguarded fast breeder test reactor at Kalpakkam. It supplied low enriched uranium fuel for Tarapur Atomic Power Station from 1983-1993. Indian engineers were given training in nuclear related fields.
3. Germany supplied unsafeguarded heavy water plants which were installed at Nangal and Talsher. They provided natural lithium which is useful in making tritium to boost nuclear bombs. India covertly imported 1000 kg beryllium in 1984 and developed it's own plant at BARC, Mumbai.
4. Russians provided two 100 MW Nuclear Reactors for Kudam Kalam Power project in Tamil Nadu in 1998. They secretly sold about 100 tonnes of heavy water for India's un-safeguarded reactors. Moscow also loaned two nuclear powered submarine for training.
5. United States helped India in construction of Tarapur Atomic Power Stations. Heavy water for the CIRUS reactor was supplied that made plutonium for India's first nuclear bomb. Assistance and technology was provided for establishing a plutonium reprocessing plant at Trombau.
6. The United Kingdom supplied turbine generator designs which were used at several unsafeguarded reactors. Damaged equipment of some heavy water plants was repaired. India secretly acquired technology for producing a heat resistant material for it's nuclear missile program.
7. After India gave full diplomatic recognition to Israel on 29 January 1992, Tel Aviv offered a greater co-operation in nuclear and missile technology. The Carnegie Endowment Report pointed out that Israel approached India for assistance to destroy Pakistan's nuclear facilities.
India conducted her first nuclear bomb test in 1974; just three years after sponsoring a successful proxy war in East Pakistan. Perhaps a reason why Bhutto said:
“We will eat grass, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own (Atom bomb).... We have no other choice!”
“We will eat grass, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own (Atom bomb).... We have no other choice!”
Loading suggestions...