India has overtaken Pakistan in the ranking of nuclear-armed countries, with a total of 172 nuclear weapons, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The latest SIPRI report, released on Tuesday, highlights that India’s nuclear arsenal has grown from 164 warheads in January 2023 to 172 by January 2024, placing it sixth among the world’s nuclear-armed states. In contrast, Pakistan’s arsenal remained unchanged at 170 warheads during the same period.
China’s nuclear capabilities have also seen a significant increase, rising from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 by January 2024, with expectations of continued expansion. The SIPRI findings reveal that among the nine nuclear-armed nations, including the US, Russia, France, China, India, and Pakistan, there has been ongoing modernization of nuclear arsenals, with several countries deploying new nuclear-capable weapon systems in 2023.
The report states that Russia and the USA collectively possess nearly 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons. The global inventory includes approximately 12,121 nuclear warheads, with about 9,585 held in military stockpiles. Around 3,904 of these warheads are deployed with missiles and aircraft, marking an increase of 60 from January 2023, while the remainder are in central storage.
Approximately 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. Both Russia and the USA possess over 1,200 retired warheads, which they are gradually dismantling.
“China is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country,” said Hans M Kristensen, Associate Senior Fellow with SIPRI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme.
While Pakistan continues to be the primary focus of India’s nuclear deterrent, there is a shift towards prioritizing longer-range weapons capable of targeting locations across China.
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.
The SIPRI report underscores the ongoing modernization and expansion of nuclear arsenals globally, highlighting the dynamic and evolving nature of nuclear armament among the world’s leading powers.
