India Surpasses Pakistan in Nuclear Arsenal, SIPRI Report

India ranks sixth among the world’s nuclear-armed states, possessing 172 nuclear weapons.

• Nine nuclear-armed nations, including the US, Russia, France, China, India, and Pakistan, continued to modernise their nuclear arsenals in 2023.
• Russia and the USA collectively possess nearly 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons.

India’s nuclear arsenal surpasses Pakistan while China boosts nuclear stockpile, SIPRI Report

• Global Nuclear Warhead Inventory and Deployment Status: The global inventory comprises approximately 12,121 nuclear warheads, with about 9,585 in military stockpiles. 
  • Of these, around 3,904 are deployed on missiles and aircraft, an increase of 60 since January 2023.
• Operational Alert Status of Deployed Nuclear Warheads: Around 2,100 of the deployed warheads are on high operational alert, primarily held by Russia and the USA, with China believed to have joined this category for the first time.
• India: 
  • Pakistan continues to be the primary focus of India’s nuclear deterrent.
  • However,  there is a shift towards prioritising longer-range weapons capable of targeting locations across China.
  • India’s nuclear arsenal has seen a slight expansion, growing from 164 warheads in January 2023 to 172 warheads by January 2024, placing it 6th among the world’s nuclear-armed states. 
  • India’s “stored” nuclear warheads were 172 in January this year, while the number for Pakistan was 170.
• Pakistan: Pakistan has recorded no increase in the number of warheads which stood at 170 both in January 2023 and 2024.
• China: China is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country.
  • Its nuclear arsenal has increased significantly from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 by January 2024, with expectations of continued growth.
• United Kingdom: The UK plans to expand its warhead stockpile following a government decision in 2021 to increase the limit from 225 to 260 warheads. 
  • Additionally, the government has ceased public disclosure of its nuclear arsenal details, including quantities of weapons, deployed warheads, and missiles.
• France: In 2023, new nuclear systems were developed, including a third-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine and an air-launched cruise missile.
• North Korea:  North Korea continues to prioritise its military nuclear program as a crucial component of its national security strategy. 
  • SIPRI estimates the country has around 50 warheads and sufficient fissile material to potentially expand its arsenal to up to 90 warheads.
• Israel: It is not officially acknowledging its nuclear weapons. However,  reportedly Israel is modernising its nuclear arsenal and enhancing plutonium production capabilities at Dimona.
• Weakening nuclear diplomacy amid war in Ukraine and Gaza: According to SIPRI, nuclear arms control and disarmament diplomacy suffered more major setbacks in 2023. Examples-
  • Russia:
    • Suspended participation in the New START treaty in February 2023.
    • Withdrew ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
    • Conducted tactical nuclear weapon drills near Ukraine’s border in May 2024.
  • USA:
    • Halted sharing and publishing treaty data in response to Russia’s suspension of its participation in the 2010 New START treaty.
  • Iran:
    • Supported Russia during the Ukraine conflict, leading to tensions with the USA.
  • Israel and Hamas Conflict:
    • The beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October disrupted the agreement, as proxy attacks by Iran-backed groups on US forces in Iraq and Syria appeared to halt Iranian–US diplomatic efforts
    • The conflict hindered efforts to involve Israel in the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction

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