India 5th among global military spenders, has 190 nukes to Pakistan's 170: SIPRI
India ranked fifth globally in military spending at USD 92.1 billion in 2025, while SIPRI reported it possessed 190 nuclear warheads compared to Pakistan's 170, highlighting rising nuclear risks and regional tensions. The think-tank noted India expanded its arsenal and developed long-range weapons targeting China, while also addressing the May 2025 India-Pakistan crisis involving nuclear-capable facilities.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported India spent USD 92.1 billion on its military in 2025, making it the fifth-largest global spender. As of January 2026, India possessed approximately 190 nuclear warheads, compared to Pakistan’s estimated 170, according to SIPRI’s annual assessment. SIPRI highlighted India’s nuclear modernization efforts, including the development of long-range weapons capable of reaching targets in China, while also maintaining focus on its rivalry with Pakistan. The report noted Pakistan continued expanding its nuclear arsenal and fissile material production in 2025, suggesting further growth in the coming decade. The May 2025 India-Pakistan military crisis, described as unusually severe, involved India striking Pakistani air and missile bases with potential nuclear-related roles. Both nations took steps to avoid escalation, though SIPRI warned of rising risks of miscalculation and nuclear weapon use as a tool of national power. Globally, nine states—including the US, Russia, China, India, and Pakistan—held 12,187 nuclear weapons in early 2026, with 9,745 considered operationally available. While the total number of warheads declined due to US and Russian dismantling, SIPRI emphasized growing reliance on nuclear weapons amid regional conflicts. India’s military expenditure rose 8.9% from 2024, reflecting broader trends: the top 15 spenders accounted for 80% of global military spending (USD 2.3 trillion in 2025), with conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine driving increases. The US remained the largest spender (USD 954 billion), followed by China (USD 336 billion) and Russia (USD 190 billion).
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