Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces
A Book Review
“Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces” Edited by Pavel Oleg. Published in 2001 by MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, London, England.Pp 693. Price $60 ISBN 0-262-16202-4
Following the breakup of the Former Soviet Union (FSU), Russia inherited its nuclear mantle because the largest part of the Soviet nuclear weapon production complex and strategic forces was located within its boundaries. The progress in nuclear disarmament is conditional to Russia’s ability to handle its nuclear complex with effectiveness, more so due to the fact, that, the erstwhile decision making system is defunct. As it grapples with the even the very role of a nuclear deterrent in the overall security apparatus, the availability of accurate information about the strategic nuclear forces cannot be over emphasized. Based on material openly obtainable, but which has been analyzed by technical specialists; “Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces”, is therefore, invaluable for policy planners in this regard.
Another facet of vital concerns is ability of the FSU is its ability to prevent the nukes falling into to the hands of non-state-actors, given the media reports of many nukes not been accounted for. Despite assurances to the contrary by the high command, Pakistan has a similar problem, with the state now on the brink of break-up, and the Al-Qaida, the Waziristan tribals, and the mullahs openly crying for Musharraf’s blood after the bumping off of Benazir Bhutto, ‘the Daughter of the East’, or “virgin Iron-Pants” as Salman Rushdie alludes to her half-mockingly, half in jest, whilst reviewing this book of hers.
Opening with an overview of the history of the development of nuclear weapons and strategic forces in the Soviet Union and Russia, the author pays special attention to the arms control efforts of the United States and the FSU. This is followed by a account of the command and control system and the political-cum-military control mechanism of the FSU over its strategic rocket forces. Issues relating to development, production and handling of nuclear weapons are dealt with next. Facilities that produce fissionable material are particularly focused upon. The strategic ‘triad’ is covered in separate chapters for the land-based ICBMs, the strategic submarines of the Navy and the Long-range Aviation. Organisational arrangements, procedures for battle duty, employment of weapons, main government design departments, production complexes are discussed and descriptions of individual systems and their technical characteristics are listed for ease of reference. However, only sketches of missiles and aircraft have been included; no photo-plates; the type one would associate with a seminal encyclopedic compilation of this nature; have been reproduced. Air Defence Forces, to include radar and space-based early warning, and satellite surveillance are covered in the pen-ultimate chapter. The concluding one delves in the future prospects.
A veritable treasure-trove of facts and figures, and expert summations, this work is undoubtedly, a meaningful stockpile for research scholars. It has been well received in Russia by the military.
(The Writer Lt. Col A.K. ‘Sam’ Sharma is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Kharakvasla. Col Sharma was commissioned into the 3rd Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in Februray 1964, He retired in 1997 after serving for 33 years. A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, he holds a MSc Degree in Defence Studies from the Madras University. This officer has been on the instructional staff of two of Indian Army’s premiere training institutes: the College of Combat; now known as the War College; (Directing Staff Junior Command Wing-1972-1975) and the Infantry School ( Senior Instructor, Platoon Commander’s Wing—1984-87) both located in Mhow (MP); where he taught tactics at the unit and sub-unit levels to students, some of who were from friendly foreign armies. He has also served at the world- renowned Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. Col Sharma can be contacted at aksh9@airtelbroadband.in)
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