Pakistan doubles nuclear arsenal in past 5 years

[sonicboom]

Pakistan doubles nuclear arsenal in past 5 years

Agence France-Presse

Washington, January 31,

According to news reports, Pakistan has doubled its nuclear weapons stockpile over the past several years, increasing its arsenal to more than 100 deployed weapons, The Washington Post reported late on Sunday. Citing US non government analysts, the newspaper said that only four years ago, the Pakistani nuclear arsenal was estimated at 30 to 60 weapons. "They have been expanding pretty rapidly," the report quoted David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security, as saying.

Based on recently accelerated production of plutonium and highly enriched uranium, Islamabad may now have an arsenal of up to 110 weapons, Albright said.

As a result, Pakistan has now edged ahead of India, its nuclear armed rival, The Post noted. India is estimated to have 60 to 100 weapons.

Pakistan doubles nuclear arsenal in past 5 years - Hindustan Times