Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the relationship between India and Pakistan has become increasingly tense. In such a time, Pakistan's barrage of nuclear threats has been ramping up. Just recently, Pakistan's Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi openly threatened India with a nuclear strike, asserting that Pakistan holds '130 nuclear weapons.'
However, this is not the first instance where Pakistan has attempted to intimidate India with such declarations. In 2019, following the Pulwama attack, a Pakistani minister claimed to possess mini nuclear bombs weighing '125 to 250 grams,' which supposedly could be used on 'limited targets.'
Is a 125-gram Nuclear Bomb Really Feasible?
The burning question now is whether a functioning nuclear bomb could be made within 125-250 grams. The answer is—no. Nuclear bombs (such as those based on Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239) require a minimum quantity known as 'critical mass' to operate. This amount is necessary for a self-sustaining chain reaction.
Typically, the critical mass ranges from 5 to 50 kilograms, depending on the bomb's design and the materials used. For instance, the 'Little Boy' bomb dropped on Hiroshima had a critical mass of several kilograms, while the entire bomb weighed about 4,400 kilograms (4.4 tons). In this bomb, two portions of uranium were rapidly collided to achieve critical mass and cause an explosion.
It's Not Just the Critical Mass; Packaging and Trigger Also Weigh In
The fissionable material in a nuclear bomb isn't the only heavy component. The trigger mechanism, detonation system, safety devices, and containment are all significant weight contributors. Therefore, practically no working nuclear bomb can weigh less than 10-15 kilograms. This context renders Pakistan's threats somewhat hollow and unconvincing.
