In News:

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released its 2025 Yearbook, detailing global nuclear trends, armament expansions, and security concerns. The report highlights growing nuclear arsenals and modernisation efforts by all nine nuclear-armed states, including India, which increased its nuclear warhead stockpile in 2024.

India’s Nuclear Arsenal: Key Facts

• Warhead Count (Jan 2025): 180 (up from 172 in Jan 2024)
• India is expanding its nuclear delivery systems, including canisterised missiles that may carry mated or multiple warheads.
• India continues to invest in new-generation weapons and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Pakistan and China: Regional Dynamics

• Pakistan: Maintains ~170 warheads; developing new delivery systems and accumulating fissile material.
• China:
  • Warheads (2025): 600 (24 deployed).
  • Adding ~100 warheads annually since 2023.
  • Constructing ~350 new ICBM silos.
  • Expected to reach 1,000 warheads by 2032–33, possibly 1,500 by 2035.

Global Nuclear Overview (2025)

• Total nuclear warheads: 12,241
• Military stockpiles (available for use): 9,614
• Deployed warheads (with missiles/aircraft): 3,912
• High-alert warheads (on ballistic missiles): ~2,100 (mostly U.S. & Russia)

Country-wise Inventory Snapshot (2025):

• USA: 5,177 (1,770 deployed, 1,930 stored)
• Russia: 5,459 (1,718 deployed, 2,591 stored)
• China: 600
• India: 180
• Pakistan: 170
• Others: UK, France, Israel, North Korea

Emerging Concerns

• Arms Control Breakdown:
  • No major nuclear power is showing full commitment to disarmament.
  • New START Treaty (USA-Russia) expires in Feb 2026; no successor yet in sight.
  • Potential for increase in deployed strategic warheads post-2026.
• Rising Crisis Risks:
  • 2025 saw India-Pakistan tensions escalate to limited armed conflict.
  • Strikes on nuclear-related military sites and disinformation increased nuclear risk.
• New Technologies & Doctrines:
  • Countries are integrating MIRVs, canisterisation, and AI-based command systems.
  • China may now keep warheads mounted during peacetime, like U.S. and Russia.

Military Spending and Arms Trade (2024)

• Global defence spending: $2.7 trillion (↑ 9.4%)
• Top military spenders:
  • USA: $997 billion
  • China: $314 billion
• Top arms importers: Ukraine, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan
• Top arms exporters:
  • USA: 43%
  • France: 9.6%
  • Russia: 7.8%

About SIPRI

• Founded: 1966, Stockholm, Sweden
• Focus: Independent research on conflict, arms control, nuclear disarmament, and security.
• Funded by: Swedish Parliament (core grant), plus support from global research bodies.