India, along with other nuclear-armed nations like the US, Russia, France, China, and Pakistan, continued to enhance their nuclear arsenals in 2023, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released on Monday. The report highlighted significant developments in global nuclear capabilities and deployments over the past year.
Key findings from the SIPRI report indicate that China’s nuclear arsenal grew from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 by January 2024, with expectations of further expansion. The report noted that China has also moved some warheads onto high operational alert for the first time.
Globally, the SIPRI estimated a total of approximately 12,121 nuclear warheads as of January 2024, with about 9,585 held in military stockpiles ready for potential use. Of these, 3,904 warheads were deployed on missiles and aircraft, indicating a slight increase from the previous year.
Russia and the US continue to dominate the nuclear landscape, possessing nearly 90% of all nuclear weapons combined. Despite geopolitical tensions and transparency challenges post-Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both countries’ nuclear stockpiles remained relatively stable in 2023.
For India, the report specified a ‘stored’ nuclear warhead count of 172 as of January 2024, slightly higher compared to previous years. Pakistan, meanwhile, was reported to possess 170 nuclear warheads during the same period.
India’s nuclear strategy appears to focus on enhancing its deterrence capability vis-à-vis Pakistan, while also developing longer-range nuclear delivery systems capable of reaching targets throughout China. This strategic shift reflects India’s ongoing modernization efforts in its nuclear program.
The report also highlighted China’s rapid expansion in its nuclear capabilities, surpassing other nations in the rate of arsenal growth. However, despite this growth, China’s overall stockpile remains smaller compared to Russia and the US.
Hans M Kristensen, from SIPRI, emphasized the global trend towards increasing nuclear forces across multiple states. He noted that while China leads in the pace of expansion, other nuclear-armed states are also either planning or actively increasing their nuclear capabilities.
Overall, the SIPRI report underscores the ongoing evolution and strategic developments in global nuclear arsenals, shaping international security dynamics in the coming years.
