THE USSR DIDN'T SURVIVE THE LAST "RACE":

India 'Star Wars' plan risks new arms race (Randeep Ramesh, December 14, 2007, Guardian)

India aims to have a missile defence system able to track and shoot down incoming warheads by 2010, scientists in the capital announced yesterday, in a move that analysts say could spark a new arms race in the region.

The announcement would see India join an elite club of countries that have such military capabilities - with the US, Russia and Israel. It came just days after Pakistan tested a cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons. [...]

Last week the Indian military demonstrated its missile defence systems by shooting down a warhead off its east coast. Saraswat said that within three years, major cities such as Delhi and Mumbai would be under a protective shield.

India is also beefing up its armoury. It has announced a nuclear-capable missile with a range of 3,700 miles - far enough to hit Beijing or Rome.

A dodgy bomb still has some utility, a dirty shield is useless.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 13, 2007 8:09 PM