SIPRI Yearbook 2026: India Fifth Largest Military Spender
Why in the news
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute released its SIPRI Yearbook 2026: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security, placing India among the top five defence spenders and noting a small rise in its nuclear stockpile.
Key facts
- India’s rank: fifth-largest military spender in 2025.
- Spending: USD 92.1 billion, a rise of 8.9% over 2024.
- Warheads: 180 in 2025 to 190 by January 2026.
- World total: USD 2.9 trillion, the 11th consecutive annual increase.
- Nuclear arsenal worldwide: about 12,187 weapons across nine nuclear-armed states.
Leading spenders in 2025
| Rank | Country | Spending (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 954 billion |
| 2 | China | 336 billion |
| 3 | Russia | 190 billion |
| 5 | India | 92.1 billion |
India and nuclear weapons
- Doctrine of No First Use and a credible minimum deterrent.
- The Nuclear Command Authority is the apex decision body, chaired by the Prime Minister.
- The Strategic Forces Command handles operational control of strategic nuclear forces.
- India is not a party to the NPT or the CTBT, but has kept a voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing since 1998.
About SIPRI
- Independent international institute headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1966.
- Researches conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.
- Known for the SIPRI Yearbook, annual military expenditure data, arms transfer data and nuclear force trends.
Exam angle
- Report: SIPRI Yearbook 2026; India fifth with USD 92.1 billion.
- Nodal bodies: NCA (chaired by the PM) and SFC.
- Do not confuse: India is outside both NPT and CTBT.