Pakistan has been able to create about 150 nuclear warheads since 1972.

India and Pakistan are two nuclear powers that have remained irreconcilable rivals since gaining independence in 1947. The main cause of tension is the territorial dispute over Kashmir. India has possessed nuclear weapons since 1974 and may currently have at least 100 live charges. Izvestia has studied the estimated nuclear potential of Pakistan.

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Pakistan's program to create its own atomic bomb began in 1972. Pakistan is believed to have 150 warheads today, which can be used mainly by surface–to-surface missiles and aircraft. Work is underway in the country to create a sea-based cruise missile.

Pakistan has created, tested and deployed several types of mobile ballistic missiles: Ghaznavi, Abdali, Shaheen-I, Shaheen-II, Shaheen-III. The first three are more likely to be operational and tactical — their range is up to 300 km and nuclear warheads are unlikely to be allocated for them. But the Shaheen-III long-range missiles can cover the entire territory of India (range — 2,750 km).

Work is underway to create a more powerful Ababeel missile, which at the same range will be able to carry several warheads.

In addition, the Pakistani Air Force has a sufficient fleet of aircraft in service that could potentially carry nuclear bombs. Among them are the American F—16 and JF-17 Thunder of joint Pakistani-Chinese production.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

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