- India’s nuclear arsenal reached 172 warheads this year, slightly surpassing Pakistan’s 170.
- China has 500 warheads, some on high operational alert for the first time, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Annual assessment of the state of armaments, disarmament and international of SIPRI 2024
- The number and types of nuclear weapons in development have increased as states deepen their reliance on nuclear deterrence.
- The total global inventory is of an estimated 12 121 warheads in January 2024,
- Russia and the USA together possess almost 90 per cent of all nuclear weapons.
- SIPRI also noted India’s efforts to strengthen the undersea leg of its nuclear triad and develop long-range missiles.
- India’s third SSBN (nuclear-powered submarine with ballistic missiles) was reportedly launched in November 2021, and a fourth is under construction for a possible launch in 2024.
- The second SSBN, Arighat, launched in November 2017 and underwent advanced sea trials in 2021-22.
Dig Deeper: Read about India’s Nuclear doctrine and policy of ‘No First Use’.
