How Many Nuclear Weapons Do India And Pakistan Possess In 2025?

Countries With Most Nuclear Weapons:  The world is moving towards a new arms race, as all nine nuclear powers update and upgrade their arsenals. The United States and Russia continue to have the largest numbers of nuclear warheads. While China is focusing on rapid nuclear growth, along with India and Pakistan's advances in technology, all of which are defining the world's nuclear landscape. The recent statistics also highlight increasing nuclear dangers and the weakening of arms control treaties. Here’s a detailed view of major countries with nuclear capabilities, China's nuclear expansion, and the changing nuclear scene across the globe, according to the SIPRI Nuclear Weapons Report.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an independent organisation that publishes annual assessments of global armaments, disarmament, and international security. The SIPRI Yearbook is crucial as it documents trends in nuclear arsenals, highlights the growing risks of a new arms race, and highlights the weakening of arms control regimes. SIPRI’s analysis provides authoritative, data-driven insights that inform policymakers and the public about the evolving dangers of nuclear use and the urgent need for renewed arms control efforts.

Which Countries Have The Most Nuclear Weapons?

The world is seeing a significantly evolving power dynamics with all nine nuclear-armed states modernising and expanding their nuclear capabilities. The United States and Russia together hold about 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons, with stable stockpiles but ongoing modernisation. China is rapidly increasing its arsenal, while other nuclear nations—including India, Pakistan, and North Korea—are also developing new delivery systems and expanding their inventories as per new technologies.

United States

The US is the biggest nuclear power with more than 5,000 warheads. It is further upgrading its arsenal, with approximately 1,770 deployed warheads and the remaining ones stored or retired. The US and Russia collectively own almost 90% of the world's nuclear weapons, and the majority of the world's high-alert warheads are owned by these two nations.

Russia

Russia possesses the world's largest nuclear stockpile, which also stands at over 5,000 warheads with more than 1,700 deployed. Similar to the US, Russia is significantly modernising its military, upgrading current weapons and creating new ones. Its nuclear arsenal remains at the core of its military policy, particularly in the face of continued international tensions.

United Kingdom

The UK has a smaller but effective nuclear force, based on submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The UK has approximately 225 warheads and is modernising its deterrent, with plans to upgrade its nuclear submarines and warheads.

France

France has approximately 290 warheads and is currently building new submarines and air-launched cruise missiles. France is upgrading its arsenal and enhancing its ballistic missile systems for greater security and deterrence.

Also Read: List Of 10 Most Powerful Long-Range Ballistic Missiles In The World: RS-28 Samrat To Agni-V And More

China

China's nuclear stockpile is rapidly growing, reaching 600 warheads by 2025, of which 24 are deployed. China is working on new missiles with multiple warheads and has put some warheads on high operational alert for the first time, indicating a more aggressive nuclear position in world dynamics.

India

India's nuclear arsenal has increased to 180 warheads, slightly higher than Pakistan's. India is creating new canisterized missiles and improving its nuclear triad to gain more flexibility and preparedness in its deterrent force.

Pakistan

Pakistan possesses around 170 warheads and, just like other countries modernising their arsenal, with an emphasis on new delivery vehicles and fissile material buildup. Its nuclear program is widening, although it is slightly behind India in the number of warheads.

North Korea

North Korea has about 50 manufactured warheads and sufficient material for an additional 40 more warheads. The nation is stepping up fissile material manufacturing and building tactical nuclear weapons, and it has ambitions towards a 'limitless' nuclear program.

Israel

Israel has a policy of nuclear ambiguity but is estimated to have approximately 90 warheads. Israel does not officially confirm its arsenal, but is suspected to have a secure and survivable deterrent.

Also Read: List Of Countries With Maximum Number Of Nuclear Submarines: Know Where India And Pakistan Rank

How Are India And Pakistan's Nuclear Capabilities Different In 2025?

India has better nuclear capabilities than Pakistan, with 180 stored nuclear warheads, while Pakistan has only 170 as of January 2025. India is progressing its nuclear triad and working on new canisterised missiles that can carry multiple warheads, which is a step towards a significant global nuclear power. Pakistan is also modernising its arsenal and stockpiling fissile material, but overall still has a marginally smaller stockpile. Both countries are developing delivery systems that can carry more than one warhead, but India's arsenal is diversified and more technologically advanced.

All About China's Nuclear Weapons Expansion:

China's nuclear stockpile is growing more rapidly than any other nation, increasing from 410 warheads in 2023 to 600 as of January 2025. This quick expansion involves deploying warheads on high operational alert for the first time and constructing multi-warhead missiles. At the end of the decade, China might be able to match the intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities of the US or Russia, which will bring a drastic change in global nuclear dynamics.

The SIPRI Nuclear Weapons Report 2024 indicates that the world is entering a new age of nuclear rivalry, with increasing arsenals, modernisation, and increasing dangers, which all highlight the immediate need for fresh global discussion and strong arms control to prevent escalation and ensure global security.