Nuclear Arsenal Overview

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) yearbook 2025 provides an update on global nuclear arsenals as of January 2025.

• India has 180 nuclear warheads.
• Pakistan has 170 nuclear warheads.
• China possesses 600 nuclear warheads, with 24 deployed.

Developments in Nuclear Capabilities

• India expanded its nuclear arsenal and developed new nuclear delivery systems in 2024.
• Introduction of ‘canisterised’ missiles may allow for carrying nuclear warheads during peacetime and potentially multiple warheads per missile.
• Pakistan continues developing new delivery systems and accumulating fissile material, indicating potential growth in its arsenal over the next decade.

Global Nuclear Forces

• Russia and the U.S. have the largest stockpiles with 5,459 and 5,177 warheads, respectively.
• Countries like Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and North Korea are modernizing their dual-capable missiles.
• Development of missiles with multiple warheads has expanded from France, Russia, the UK, and the USA to include China, India, Pakistan, and North Korea.

India's Strategic Focus

India's nuclear weapons support a maturing nuclear triad consisting of aircraft, land-based missiles, and SSBNs.

• Traditionally, India stored nuclear warheads separately from launchers during peacetime.
• Recent strategies, such as placing missiles in canisters and sea-based patrols, indicate a shift towards mating warheads with launchers in peacetime.
• While Pakistan remains a key focus, India is emphasizing longer-range weapons capable of targeting China.

Arms Imports

Between 2020-24, 162 states were major arms recipients, with Ukraine, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan being the top five, accounting for 35% of total arms imports.