India increased its nuclear warhead count to 180 in 2024: SIPRI report

18 Jun 2025 GS 2 International Relations
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Global Nuclear Modernization Trends

  • All 9 nuclear-armed nations (U.S., Russia, UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel) continued modernizing & expanding arsenals in 2024.

  • Total global inventory: 12,241 warheads (9,614 in military stockpiles, 3,912 deployed on missiles/aircraft).

  • Major reductions: U.S. & Russia downsized inventories but still hold ~90% of global warheads.

  • Rapid growth: China’s stockpile rose to 600 (from 500 in 2024); North Korea & Israel also expanding.

India & Pakistan’s Nuclear Buildup

  • India:

    • Warheads increased to 180 (from 172 in 2024).

    • Developing new delivery systems, including "canisterised" missiles (capable of carrying multiple warheads).

  • Pakistan:

    • Holds 170 warheads (same as 2024) but expanding fissile material stockpiles.

    • Tensions with India briefly escalated into armed conflict in early 2025, raising nuclear risks.

Key Concerns

  1. Arms Race: Weakened arms control treaties (e.g., New START expires Feb 2026) may trigger more deployments.

  2. India-Pakistan Crisis Risks:

    • Strikes on nuclear infrastructure + disinformation could escalate conventional war to nuclear conflict.

    • SIPRI warns against over-reliance on nuclear deterrence.



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