A Swedish think tank report from SIPRI shows India has placed nuclear warheads on operational systems for the first time. Data indicate 12 Indian warheads were deployed, while China raised its deployed total to 34 in 2025. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute released its SIPRI Yearbook 2026 on Monday, noting that nations are placing greater emphasis on nuclear arms as tools of state power. Roughly 4,012 warheads worldwide are now mounted on missiles or aircraft. Of an estimated global stock of 12,187 warheads in January 2026, about 9,745 sit in military reserves for possible use. This marks the first SIPRI assessment listing some Indian warheads as ready for immediate employment, with the remainder held in storage. Deployed warheads are attached to active launch platforms, whereas stockpiled ones remain in reserve and require mounting before use. India can launch its 12 deployed warheads via Arihant-class submarines, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar aircraft, and land-based Agni, Prithvi, Nirbhay and BrahMos missiles. Pakistan has no deployed warheads according to the report. Earlier SIPRI figures showed China with 24 deployed in 2025. India and Pakistan engaged in a four-day conflict in May 2025. The 2026 yearbook reviews 2025 developments, including that brief confrontation. SIPRI notes both countries avoided further escalation. The report adds that India may have modestly increased its arsenal and is developing longer-range delivery systems aimed at China. Pakistan continues to produce fissile material that could support future growth. Nine nations possess nuclear warheads: the United States, Russia, Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel. Between 2,100 and 2,200 deployed warheads remain on high alert, mostly belonging to Russia and the United States, with smaller numbers possibly kept ready by China and India.
