NEW DELHI, June 19: India and Pakistan on Saturday begin their first talks on easing the risk of nuclear war since they became nuclear powers with tit-for-tat test blasts in 1998.
Little is known publicly about the details of their nuclear weapons capabilities because of their fierce secrecy after years of hostility and war.
The following are some facts and estimates about their forces from various sources, including Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems and the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies:
INDIA: Estimated nuclear warheads: 100 to 150. Of these, up to 20 are nuclear bombs that could be dropped from Jaguar, Mirage 2000 or Sukhoi 30 aircraft. The remainder could be fitted to India's home-developed Agni or Prithvi missiles.
Missile types and estimated ranges:
Agni 1 (1,200 km)
Agni 2 (2,000 km)
Agni 3 (under development; 4,000 km)
Prithvi SS-150 (150 km)
Prithvi SS-250 (250 km)
PAKISTAN: Estimated nuclear warheads: 25 to 50, including up to 20 bombs deliverable by F-16 fighter jets. The remainder could be fitted to Shaheen, Ghori or Hatf missiles.
