Kakodkar, Santhanam test H-bomb yields again
14 Dec 2009
New Delhi: Feuding scientists, former Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar and former DRDO physicist K Santhnam have fired salvos at each other once again over the yields of the country's hydrogen bomb test. The exchange follows Kakodkar's latest assertion that the Indian Army should be fully confident about the nuclear arsenal at its command as there was no doubt about its effectiveness.
In response, Santhanam has dubbed Kakodkar's assertion as ''an absolute lie.''
Kakodkar, who retired from service on 30 November, was asked by a private TV news channel about former Indian Army chief VP Malik's remarks that nuclear scientists should assure the armed forces about the efficacy of the thermonuclear device. He responded by saying, "I think that is guaranteed. Army should be fully confident. There is no doubt about the arsenal at their command."
In his response, he also ruled out the need for further thermonuclear tests and also asserted that the country had several hydrogen bombs with a yield "much more" than 45 kilo tons.
"Of course. Why do you put singular, use plural?" he said when questioned if India had a thermonuclear bomb.
When queried if the hydrogen bomb had a yield of 45 kilo tons, he responded by saying "Much more than that. I said from up to low kilotons to 200 kilotons."