SIPRI Yearbook 2025: India 180 Warheads, Pakistan 170, China 600
Why in the news
The 2025 SIPRI report warns that arms control is eroding while nuclear arsenals are being modernised. It finds India now holds more warheads than Pakistan, though both trail China.
| Country | Warheads (SIPRI 2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| India | 180 | Nuclear triad; work on canisterised missiles with possible MIRVs |
| Pakistan | 170 | Aimed at deterring India; tactical and short-range emphasis |
| China | About 600 | Growing by about 100 a year since 2023 |
| Russia | 5,459 | With the USA, over 90% of world stock |
| USA | 5,177 | Same as above |
Key facts
- India has a land, air and sea-based delivery triad; a shift towards keeping warheads mated with launchers in peacetime may signal a departure from its de-mated stance.
- Pakistan keeps expanding fissile material output and will probably add warheads.
- China may be moving to deploy warheads on missiles in peacetime.
- World total: about 12,241 weapons; around 9,614 usable militarily; about 2,100 at high readiness.
Concerns
- AI, cyber operations, quantum computing and space systems complicate deterrence.
- New START expires in 2026 with nothing to replace it, raising the risk of unchecked expansion.
- Disinformation and shortened decision times raise miscalculation risk.
- The 2025 India-Pakistan escalation during Operation Sindoor raised worries about strikes near nuclear sites.
Way forward for India
- Modernise without abandoning minimum credible deterrence.
- Build indigenous missile, early-warning and secure communication capacity.
- Pursue regional dialogue on reducing nuclear risk.
- As a non-NPT nuclear power, lead on responsible stewardship.
Exam angle
- Publisher: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
- Numbers: India 180, Pakistan 170, China 600.
- Related: MIRV, de-mated posture, New START, NPT.