India has operationally deployed 12 nuclear warheads for the first time, marking a significant shift in its nuclear posture, according to the latest assessment by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
DON'T MISS
SIPRI Report Says India Has Operationally Deployed 12 Nuclear Warheads for First Time
The report states that India previously maintained a policy of keeping nuclear warheads and their delivery systems stored separately during peacetime. SIPRI’s latest findings suggest that a small number of warheads are now considered operationally deployed, indicating a higher state of readiness than in previous years.
Despite the reported change in deployment posture
According to the assessment, India is estimated to possess around 190 nuclear warheads as of January 2026, up from approximately 180 in the previous year. SIPRI noted that India’s nuclear arsenal is supported by a growing nuclear triad consisting of aircraft, land-based missile systems, and nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.
The report suggests that the deployment may be linked to the increasing use of canisterized missile systems and sea-based deterrence patrols, which allow warheads and launch platforms to remain more readily available for operational use. Analysts say the development reflects the continued modernization of India’s strategic deterrence capabilities.
Despite the reported change in deployment posture, India continues to maintain its long-standing “No First Use” nuclear doctrine, under which nuclear weapons are intended for retaliation in response to a nuclear attack. The country’s nuclear policy remains centered on maintaining a credible minimum deterrent rather than engaging in a nuclear arms race.
The SIPRI findings have drawn attention from strategic and security experts, who view the move as part of broader regional and global shifts in nuclear preparedness and defense planning among major powers.