SIPRI report: India expanded nuclear arsenal and increased military spending in 2025
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Yearbook 2026 reports that India modestly expanded its nuclear arsenal to around 190 warheads by early 2026, up from 180 in 2025, and continued developing new delivery systems. India's nuclear modernization program focuses on longer-range weapons capable of reaching targets across China, while also addressing rivalry with Pakistan. The report highlighted the May 2025 India-Pakistan military confrontation, 'Operation Sindoor,' where both countries integrated cyberoperations into active military conflict for the first time. India remained the world's fifth-largest military spender in 2025, with an expenditure of $92.1 billion, an 8.9% increase from the previous year.
Key Points
- India's nuclear arsenal expanded to approximately 190 warheads by early 2026, according to the SIPRI Yearbook 2026.
- India is modernizing its nuclear program, focusing on developing longer-range weapons to target China and addressing security concerns with Pakistan.
- The May 2025 India-Pakistan military confrontation, 'Operation Sindoor,' marked the first time both nations integrated cyberoperations into active military conflict.
- India was the world's fifth-largest military spender in 2025, with an expenditure of $92.1 billion, an 8.9% increase from the previous year.
- Globally, all nine nuclear-armed states are modernizing their arsenals, with an estimated 12,187 nuclear warheads at the start of 2026.
Exam Facts
- SIPRI Yearbook 2026 was released on Monday.
- India's nuclear stockpile increased to around 190 warheads by early 2026 (from 180 in 2025).
- India's military expenditure in 2025 was $92.1 billion, an 8.9% increase from the previous year.
- India ranked fifth globally in military spending, behind the United States, China, Russia, and Germany.
- India was the world's second-largest importer of major arms during 2021-25, accounting for 8.2% of global imports.
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