According to reports by SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), India currently possesses roughly 190 nuclear weapons.

Compared to last year when the figure was reported to be 180, the report says that India has been able to keep its nuclear weapons program modernized and enhanced strategically through new technological advancements.

In a report issued by SIPRI Yearbook 2026, it has been stated that the global community is ushering in an era of nuclear competition. Countries that possess nuclear arsenals such as the US, Russia, China, India, and Pakistan are enhancing their nuclear arsenals at a faster rate.

It has been highlighted that the modernization in India is mainly meant for China since China is expanding its nuclear arsenals, which are believed to amount to about 620 weapons at the moment. Pakistan is also strengthening its nuclear program.

According to SIPRI, India is striving to maintain a balanced strategic capability against both China and Pakistan.

India is now rapidly developing new generation nuclear technologies. The most important of these is MIRV technology. This allows a single ballistic missile to carry multiple nuclear warheads and target multiple targets.

India is also developing canisterized missile systems, which will enable faster launch of missiles and enhance their security.

India's missile fleet includes missiles such as Prithvi-II, Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni-III, Agni-IV, and Agni-V. The new Agni-P missile is considered more accurate and modern.

The report also highlights India's maritime nuclear capability as extremely important. India's nuclear submarines, especially INS Arihant, are now becoming a major pillar of the country's "second strike capability."

SIPRI estimates that India is now deploying a limited number of nuclear weapons on ballistic missile submarines even during peacetime. This maintains the capability to retaliate even after an enemy first strike.

According to the report, Pakistan possesses approximately 170 nuclear weapons. Pakistan is focusing more on small-scale and tactical nuclear weapons, while India is developing long-range and secure retaliatory strike capabilities.

SIPRI has warned that the global threat of nuclear weapons is rising again. According to the report, a total of 12,187 nuclear weapons existed in the world by January 2026, with thousands of these weapons kept in a state of immediate use.

SIPRI Director Karim Haggag said that countries' increasing nuclear dependence could lead to major crises and miscalculations in the future.