SIPRI Reports India Deploys Nuclear Warheads During Peacetime

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reports that India has deployed 12 nuclear warheads during peacetime, marking a significant departure from decades of policy where warheads and delivery systems were stored separately. According to the SIPRI Yearbook 2026, India's total nuclear arsenal grew from 180 warheads in 2025 to 190 in 2026.

SIPRI suggests India may be mating warheads with launchers, specifically aboard nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines during operational patrols. This shift is intended to increase readiness in response to a two-front deterrence challenge. Modernization efforts focus on long-range weapons capable of reaching targets across China while maintaining a strategic focus on the rivalry with Pakistan.

India currently possesses approximately 152 nuclear-capable launchers across land, air, and sea platforms. This development occurs as India manages its regional security posture against Pakistan, which is estimated to possess 170 nuclear warheads.