Thus, without taking the costs of nuclear submarine, the total costs of minimum deterrence are likely to be in the region of Rs 10,000 crore. More likely it will be even less than this amount. However, if the quantum of the nuclear arsenal were nearer to 400, then the cost factor would increase in the same proportion. The cost of nuclear submarine would add another Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 crore per submarine. A minimum of two to four is, perhaps, the required number.
Some analysts tend to add the costs of atomic demolition munitions and battlefield nuclear weapons.
Though not very expensive, these weapons addgreatly to the degree of difficulty in command and control problems thereby adding to costs. Also, a combination of precision weapons, heavy volume of artillery fire, smart bombs, multi-barrel rocket launchers and air strikes can better achieve the desired effects at the target. And there is no risk of escalation to nuclear war fighting. Though our draft nuclear doctrine is silent on this aspect, earlier policy statements by the defence minister have ruled out the use of battlefield or tactical nuclear weapons. The costs of the acquisition of minimum deterrence would have to be spread over a period of time.