India expands nuclear arsenal to 180 warheads, widening gap with Pakistan: SIPRI

India has reportedly expanded its nuclear arsenal and continues to advance its nuclear delivery systems, as detailed in the latest report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). According to the SIPRI Yearbook 2025, India's nuclear warhead count has increased from 172 in 2024 to an estimated 180 in 2025, further widening its lead over neighboring Pakistan. The report highlights India's progress in developing "canisterised" missiles, which allow warheads to be pre-mounted and transported more safely, potentially enabling them to carry nuclear warheads even during "peacetime." These next-generation systems may also soon be capable of delivering multiple warheads using a single missile.

Among India's significant advancements are the Agni Prime (Agni-P) missile, a new-generation, advanced variant of the Agni series with a range of 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers, and the Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV)-capable Agni-5 system. India successfully tested the MIRV-capable Agni-5 last year, a missile capable of striking targets at ranges exceeding 5,000 kilometers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had lauded this achievement, emphasizing the indigenous development of the technology.

While Pakistan also continued to develop new nuclear delivery platforms in 2024, SIPRI noted that China's nuclear build-up is progressing at a significantly faster rate. China is estimated to have added around 100 new nuclear warheads annually since 2023, reaching an estimated 600 warheads by January 2025. The SIPRI report estimates the total global nuclear warhead inventory at 12,241 as of January 2025, with about 9,614 in military stockpiles for potential use. Approximately 3,912 warheads are deployed with operational missiles and aircraft, and about 2,100 of these, primarily belonging to Russia and the United States, are on high operational alert. SIPRI Director Dan Smith expressed concerns about the weakening of nuclear arms control, warning of a potential new nuclear arms race and highlighting that China could reach 1,000 warheads within the next seven to eight years.