India's nuclear stockpile rises to 190 warheads, surpassing Pakistan: SIPRI

India and Pakistan continue to maintain their nuclear capabilities primarily as a deterrent against each other, says SIPRI

A surface-to-surface Agni V missile is launched from the Wheeler Island off the eastern Indian state of Odisha Apr 19, 2012. REUTERS/Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation/DRDO/Handout

India has increased its nuclear arsenal to an estimated 190 warheads, overtaking neighbouring Pakistan's stockpile of 170, NDTV reports.

According to the latest yearbook by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India added around 10 warheads over the past year, taking its total inventory from 180 to 190 as of January 2026.

China remains well ahead in Asia with an estimated 620 warheads.

SIPRI assessed that India has 12 nuclear warheads deployed during peacetime, while the remaining 178 are held in storage.

The finding suggests a shift from India's long-standing practice of keeping warheads separate from delivery systems such as ballistic missiles, says NDTV.

According to SIPRI, India's recent moves towards canisterised missile systems and sea-based nuclear deterrence patrols indicate it may be pairing some warheads with launch platforms even in peacetime.

Globally, Russia and the United States continue to dominate nuclear arsenals.

SIPRI estimates Russia possesses about 5,420 warheads, including 1,796 deployed weapons, while the United States has around 5,042 warheads, of which 1,770 are deployed.

Among other nuclear-armed states, France is estimated to have 370 warheads, the United Kingdom 225, Israel about 90, and North Korea around 60, the NDTV report reads.

SIPRI noted that India and Pakistan continue to maintain their nuclear capabilities primarily as a deterrent against each other, while China's arsenal has expanded significantly in recent years.