How Many Nuclear Weapons Do India and Pakistan Have?
News Desk
Stockholm: Pakistan and India continue to expand their nuclear arsenals amid a broader global resurgence in nuclear competition, according to the latest annual report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The report paints a concerning picture of the international security environment, warning that nuclear-armed states are modernizing their arsenals, reducing transparency, and moving further away from disarmament commitments.
According to SIPRI’s assessment, India possessed an estimated 190 nuclear warheads as of January 2026, while Pakistan’s stockpile stood at approximately 170 warheads.
Both South Asian rivals now possess the capability to launch nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea platforms, a strategic capability known as the nuclear triad. However, their nuclear doctrines remain significantly different.
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India continues to adhere to its “No First Use” policy and structures its nuclear strategy around both China and Pakistan. Pakistan, meanwhile, retains the option of first use and maintains a nuclear posture primarily focused on deterring India.
India’s nuclear delivery systems include Rafale and Mirage fighter aircraft, Agni-series ballistic missiles, and the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant. Pakistan’s arsenal includes F-16 and JF-17 fighter jets, along with Shaheen and Ghauri missile systems.
SIPRI noted that Islamabad is also continuing efforts to strengthen its sea-based nuclear deterrent.
Global Nuclear Stockpiles Rise
The report estimates that the world’s nine nuclear-armed states collectively possessed approximately 12,187 nuclear warheads at the beginning of 2026.
Of these, about 9,745 warheads were part of military stockpiles, marking an increase of 130 warheads compared with the previous year.
SIPRI estimates that 4,012 warheads are currently deployed on missiles, while roughly 2,150 ballistic missile warheads remain on high operational alert.
Russia and the United States continue to dominate the global nuclear landscape, accounting for around 82 per cent of the world’s nuclear weapons.
Russia maintains the largest stockpile with an estimated 4,380 warheads, followed by the United States with 3,700.
Other nuclear-armed states are estimated to possess:
- China: 620 warheads
- France: 290 warheads
- United Kingdom: 225 warheads
- India: 190 warheads
- Pakistan: 170 warheads
- Israel: approximately 90 warheads
- North Korea: approximately 60 warheads
China Expanding Fastest
SIPRI identified China as the world’s fastest-growing nuclear power, citing the rapid expansion of missile infrastructure and the deployment of hundreds of additional missiles.
The report also highlighted modernization challenges facing both Russia and the United States, where major nuclear weapons programs are experiencing delays and escalating costs.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has announced plans to integrate its nuclear-capable aircraft into NATO’s nuclear framework.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron ordered an expansion of the country’s nuclear arsenal in March 2026, though Paris has not disclosed details of the planned increase.
North Korea is also continuing to advance its nuclear weapons programme, SIPRI said.
Declining Transparency Fuelling Arms Race
The institute warned that transparency surrounding nuclear arsenals is declining worldwide as governments increasingly withhold information about their capabilities.
According to SIPRI, this growing secrecy is contributing to a renewed global arms race and undermining confidence-building measures among nuclear powers.
The report further noted setbacks in international arms control efforts.
The New START Treaty expired in February 2026, while an international nuclear conference held in May ended without a substantive agreement, weakening the global non-proliferation framework.
Experts Warn of Growing Risks
Hans M. Kristensen, a senior fellow at SIPRI and the Federation of American Scientists, expressed concern over the direction of global nuclear policy.
“There are clear signs that nuclear-armed states are moving away from their commitments to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons,” he said, noting that many countries are now openly showcasing and modernizing their nuclear forces.
AI Adding New Uncertainties
SIPRI also warned that the growing integration of artificial intelligence into nuclear command-and-control systems could introduce new risks and uncertainties into decision-making processes.
The institute cautioned that if current modernization trends continue, the development of new nuclear weapons may soon outpace the retirement of older systems, increasing threats to global stability and international peace.
“The era of reductions in the number of nuclear weapons in the world is coming to an end,” the report concluded, warning that a new phase of nuclear competition is taking shape across multiple regions.
