India has more nuclear weapons than Pakistan, while China has increased its nuclear arsenal from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 in January 2024, according to a report by a Swedish think tank.
As the world has experienced two wars in the past two years, an analysis by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) found that nine nuclear-armed states, including India, Pakistan, and China, have continued to modernize their nuclear arsenals.
Other countries mentioned in the report include the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, North Korea, and Israel.
According to the report, Russia and the United States account for 90 percent of all nuclear weapons, and several countries have deployed new nuclear weapons in 2023.
About 2,100 nuclear warheads, most of which belong to the United States and Russia, have been stored in the state—high operational readiness with ballistic missiles. According to the report, China may have kept some warheads on high alert for the first time.
India Has 172 Nuclear Warheads
According to the SIPRI report, India has 172 nuclear warheads “in stock” by January 2024, two more than Pakistan. According to the report, India slightly expanded its nuclear arsenal in 2023. Both countries continued to develop delivery systems for new types of nuclear power plants in 2023.
“While Pakistan remains the main focus of India’s nuclear deterrent, India appears increasingly to be focusing on more long-range weapons, including those capable of reaching targets across China,” the report says.
The Swedish think tank also reported that India, Pakistan, and North Korea are following in the footsteps of Russia and the United States in deploying multiple warheads on ballistic missiles.
As for China, SIPRI’s Hans Kristensen said it is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country.
“However, almost all nuclear-armed states have either plans or significant incentives to increase their nuclear forces,” PTI quoted Kristensen as saying.
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