Based on a report from the Stockholm Worldwide Peace Analysis Institute (SIPRI), India’s nuclear weapons stockpile has exceeded Pakistan’s for the primary time in 25 years, reported Manu Pubby of The Financial Instances. The report estimates that India now possesses 172 nuclear warheads, whereas Pakistan’s stockpile stays static at 170. This marks a major growth within the nuclear capabilities of each international locations.
The SIPRI report additionally highlighted that India might have added eight nuclear warheads to its stockpile up to now yr, rising from 164 to 172. India has been steadily rising its atomic stockpile since 2014 when it was assessed to be at 100 warheads. This progress has allowed India to shut the hole with Pakistan and surpass it by way of nuclear weapons. Indian nuclear supply platforms embody fighter jets, land-based ballistic missiles and submarine-launched missiles.
The SIPRI report additionally mentions that China has not too long ago elevated its nuclear weapons readiness. China has positioned warheads on excessive operational alert and paired them with long-range missiles for potential short-notice strikes. It’s value noting that China’s nuclear power is at present thrice bigger than India’s, with an estimated 500 warheads.
Whereas the worldwide variety of nuclear warheads continues to lower as Chilly Battle-era weapons are dismantled, there was a year-on-year improve within the variety of operational nuclear warheads. In January 2024, there have been roughly 9,585 nuclear warheads in navy stockpiles worldwide, with 3,904 deployed and round 2,100 on excessive operational alert. The vast majority of these warheads belong to Russia and the USA.
