India Increased Its Nuclear Warhead Count to 180 in 2024

India Increased Its Nuclear Warhead Count to 180 in 2024: SIPRI Report

---

Overview: Global Nuclear Expansion

• All 9 nuclear-armed countries continued modernising their nuclear weapons in 2024.

• Countries are upgrading old weapons and adding new types.

• A new nuclear arms race is emerging.

• This is happening while arms control regimes are weakening.

---

🇮🇳 India’s Nuclear Developments

• India slightly expanded its nuclear arsenal in 2024.

• Warhead count rose from 172 (2024) to 180 (2025).

• India is developing new delivery systems:

  • ‘Canisterised’ missiles can carry warheads during peacetime.

  • These may also carry multiple warheads per missile once operational.

---

🇵🇰 Pakistan’s Nuclear Progress

• Pakistan is:

  • Developing new delivery systems.

  • Accumulating fissile material (used to make nukes).

• Its arsenal may expand in the next decade.

• Warhead count in 2025 remains at 170.

---

India-Pakistan Conflict Risk

• In early 2025, India-Pakistan tensions led to brief armed conflict.

• Strikes on nuclear-related military targets occurred.

• Disinformation by third parties worsened the situation.

• This raised the risk of nuclear escalation.

• SIPRI expert Matt Korda warns that reliance on nuclear weapons is dangerous.

---

🌍 Global Nuclear Arsenal (Jan 2025)

Country	Deployed Warheads	Stored Warheads	Total Inventory (2025)	Total in 2024
United States	1,770	1,930	5,177	5,328
Russia	1,718	2,591	5,459	5,580
China	24	576	600	500
India	—	180	180	172
Pakistan	—	170	170	170

• Total global nuclear warheads: 12,241

• Warheads in military stockpiles (ready for use): 9,614

• Deployed warheads (on missiles/aircraft): 3,912

• Remaining warheads are in central storage.

---

Warning: Treaty Expiry

• If no new treaty is signed after New START expires in Feb 2026, the number of deployed warheads could increase.

• SIPRI calls for urgent global cooperation to limit nuclear arms.

  By: Shivam Saxena