India’s nuclear arsenal has been assessed at 190 warheads by the Federation of
American Scientists (FAS), a US‑based non-profit policy think tank.
This figure includes 160 warheads for operational launchers and at least 30
additional warheads for new missiles under production.
The estimates were published in the article India’s Nuclear Weapons – 2026
authored by Hans M Kristensen, Matt Korda, Mackenzie Knight‑Boyle and Eliana
Johns of the FAS Nuclear Information Project.
The report emphasises that India continues to modernise its nuclear arsenal.
Several new weapon systems have been fielded in recent years, while others are
under development to complement or replace existing nuclear‑capable aircraft,
land‑based delivery systems and sea‑based platforms.
The analysts estimate that India may have produced enough military plutonium
for between 140 and 225 nuclear warheads and might have assembled up to 190.
With more systems in development, the stockpile is expected to increase
further.
The study notes that India currently operates nine nuclear‑capable systems,
comprising two aircraft, six land‑based ballistic missiles and one sea‑based
ballistic missile. At least two more systems are nearing completion and are
expected to be fielded within a few years.
| Type/Designation | No of Launchers | Year Deployed | Range (km) | Warheads X Yield | No of Warheads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft | 48 | 48 | |||
| Mirage 2000H | 32 | 1985 | 1,850 | 1 × 12 kt Bomb | -- |
| Jaguar IS | 16 | 1981 | 1,600 | 1 × 12 kt Bomb | -- |
| Land-Based Missiles | 88 | 104 | |||
| Prithvi-II | 24 | 2003 | 250 | 1 × 12 kt | 24 |
| Agni-I | 16 | 2007 | 700+ | 1 × 10–40 kt | 16 |
| Agni-II | 16 | 2011 | 2,000+ | 1 × 10–40 kt | 16 |
| Agni-III | 16 | 2018 | 3,200+ | 1 × 10–40 kt | 16 |
| Agni-IV | 8 | 2022 | 3,500+ | 1 × 10–40 kt | 8 |
| Agni-V | 8 | 2023 | 5,000+ | 1–6 10–40kt MIRV | 24 |
| Agni-P | -- | (2027) | 2,000 | 1 × 10–40 kt | -- |
| Sea-Based Missiles | 1/12 | 12 | |||
| K-15 (B-05) | 1/12 | 2018 | 700 | 1 × 12 kt | 12 |
| K-4 | (2/12) | (2027) | 3,500 | 1 × 10–40 kt | . . |
| Total Stockpile | 148 | 164 | |||
| Other Stored Warheads | 26 | ||||
| Total Inventory | 148 | 190 |
As India does not publish official figures for its nuclear stockpile, the
estimates are derived from a combination of open sources including government
statements, declassified documents, media reports, think tank analyses,
industry publications and commercial satellite imagery.
India is among a handful of countries believed to produce both highly enriched
uranium (HEU) and weapons‑grade plutonium. Its HEU production is largely
assumed to be directed towards fuelling nuclear‑powered vessels and
submarines.
The source of India’s weapons‑grade plutonium has been the ageing 100‑megawatt
Dhruva reactor at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre near Mumbai, and until
2010 the CIRUS reactor at the same location. After years of delay, the new
500‑megawatt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at the Indira Gandhi Centre
for Atomic Research in Kalpakkam achieved first criticality in April 2026.
Fuelled by reactor‑grade plutonium from India’s first‑generation power
reactors, the PFBR irradiates uranium or thorium blankets to produce
Plutonium‑239 and Uranium‑233. If operated at 80% efficiency, the PFBR could
hypothetically produce about 140 kg of Plutonium‑239 annually, sufficient for
up to 35 warheads.
Several more fast breeder reactors are planned, including two in pre‑planning
stage, FBR‑1 and FBR‑2, to be located adjacent to the PFBR at Kalpakkam. If
operated successfully, these reactors could significantly increase the amount
of plutonium available for India’s nuclear stockpile.
As of early 2026, the International Panel on Fissile Materials estimated India
had produced approximately 730 kg of weapons‑grade plutonium, with a margin of
error of 170 kg. Assuming four kilograms per warhead, this would theoretically
be sufficient for between 140 and 225 warheads.
However, the calculation carries caveats due to uncertainties in warhead
design.
The report observes that India may not have used all its plutonium for warhead
production, keeping some in reserve. The size of the stockpile also depends on
the number and types of launchers available, as it is unlikely India would
produce significantly more warheads than its systems can deliver.
The government recently reiterated in Parliament that India remains committed
to credible minimum deterrence and a posture of no first use of nuclear
weapons. This doctrine has been a cornerstone of India’s nuclear strategy
since the Pokhran‑II tests in 1998.
The FAS analysis also compares India’s arsenal with Pakistan’s, noting that
Pakistan is estimated to possess approximately 170 warheads, according to a
recent SIPRI report. India’s trajectory of modernisation, combined with its
fissile material production, suggests a steady expansion of capabilities while
adhering to its declared doctrine.
Agencies
