India Expands Nuclear Arsenal Amid Global Arms Race

India’s Nuclear Arsenal Grows Amid Global Arms Race

Why in the News ?

The SIPRI 2025 report highlights that India increased its nuclear warhead count to 180 in 2024, amid a global trend of nuclear modernisation by nine nuclear-armed nations, raising concerns of a renewed arms race and weakened arms control treaties.

India’s Nuclear Build-up and Capabilities:

• India’s nuclear warheads rose to 180 in January 2025 (from 172 in 2024).
• India is developing new canisterised missiles, allowing mated warhead deployment even in peacetime.
• These new systems could potentially carry multiple warheads per missile.
• Pakistan, with 170 warheads, is also developing new delivery systems and accumulating fissile material.

Global Trends and Arms Race Warning

• All nine nuclear-armed countries — US, Russia, UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel — continued weapon upgrades in 2024.
• The total global inventory is now 12,241 warheads, with 9,614 in military stockpiles and 3,912 deployed on missiles/aircraft.
• Russia (5,459) and the US (5,177) hold the largest inventories.
• China increased its arsenal from 500 to 600 warheads.

Rising Risks and Strategic Uncertainty

• SIPRI warns of a dangerous nuclear arms race amid weakened arms control regimes.
• The New START treaty expires in February 2026, with no replacement yet in place.
• Experts warn that conventional conflicts, like the India-Pakistan skirmish in early 2025, risk escalation due to disinformation and strikes on nuclear assets.
• SIPRI urges global powers to reduce reliance on nuclear weapons to avoid potential crises.