THE DANGERS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE WEAPONS

The dangers of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons cannot be unstated or underestimated. The US, China, Russia are all working towards thwarting possible attacks. There are Indian plans to counter these threats to both civil and military assets

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India faces not only the risk of traditional nuclear attacks but also from the potential use of nuclear weapons through nontraditional means. These could include a terrorist strike using a nuclear weapon of low yield or a so-called ‘dirty bomb’ or even an attack involving either a nuclear or non-nuclear generated electromagnetic pulse. Another potential method of attack could be the possible sabotage of a nuclear power plant with the potential for radioactive release.

Strictly military or retaliatory measures will not necessarily deter such attacks. In this case, a combination of active measures to detect and prevent such attacks and passive measures to deal with the impact of such attacks may have the best prospects of deterring or at the very least containing such attacks. To this end, it is important to determine how well prepared India is to respond to the impact of such attacks so as to minimise damage. As noted above, the types of non-traditional chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks may be broken down as follows:

1) A nuclear or non-nuclear-generated electromagnetic pulse (EMP) aimed at disrupting military and/or civilian activities, networks, operations and infrastructure;

2) The use of CBRN agents by a nonstate actor aimed at creating either a mass casualty event or significant civilian fear and panic as well as disruption to society; or with the aim to stretch emergency, relief and economic resources with a view towards destabilisation of a state or to divert resources away from any military or diplomatic effort.