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US Think Tank Estimates India Has 190 Nuclear Warheads
A US research group estimates that India has about 190 nuclear warheads.
More than 160 may be connected to launch systems that are already operating.
About 30 more may be intended for missiles still being made.
The researchers used public information, government data, and satellite pictures to make their estimate.
They also estimated that India has produced about 730 kilograms of weapons-grade plutonium.
That amount could theoretically make between 140 and 225 warheads.
The estimate is uncertain because researchers do not know all of India’s warhead designs.
India may also have kept some plutonium in reserve instead of using it for warheads.
India says it follows a no-first-use policy, meaning it says it would not use nuclear weapons first.
The Federation of American Scientists estimates that India may have assembled around 190 nuclear warheads.
More than 160 warheads are linked to operational launchers, while about 30 are associated with missiles under production.
India is developing and fielding nuclear-capable systems for aircraft, land-based launchers, and sea-based platforms.
India may have produced about 730 kilograms of weapons-grade plutonium, theoretically enough for 140 to 225 warheads.
India says it maintains credible minimum deterrence and a no-first-use nuclear policy.
- Who
- The Federation of American Scientists, including Nuclear Information Project Director Hans Kristensen, produced the estimate; the Indian government stated its nuclear policy.
- What
- A report estimates that India may have assembled around 190 nuclear warheads and is continuing to modernize its nuclear forces.
- Where
- The report was published in Washington and concerns India’s nuclear arsenal.
- When
- The report was published on Wednesday and assesses India’s capabilities as of the beginning of 2026.
- Why
- FAS based its estimate on open-source information, state-originating data, commercial satellite imagery, plutonium estimates, and assessments of nuclear delivery systems.
Key facts
- Estimated stockpile
- Around 190 nuclear warheads
- Operational warheads
- More than 160 warheads are estimated to support operational launchers
- Warheads for new missiles
- About 30 additional warheads are associated with missiles under production
- Estimated plutonium
- Approximately 730 kilograms of weapons-grade plutonium, with an uncertainty of about plus or minus 170 kilograms
- Theoretical warhead capacity
- Between 140 and 225 warheads, assuming approximately four kilograms of plutonium per warhead
- Nuclear doctrine
- India says it maintains credible minimum deterrence and a no-first-use policy
- Key uncertainties
- The estimate depends on unknown warhead designs, possible plutonium reserves, and the number and types of launchers
Quotes
Hans Kristensen
Director of the Federation of American Scientists’ Nuclear Information Project and author of the cited report
“Based on available public information about its nuclear-capable delivery force structure and strategy, we estimate that India may have produced around 190 nuclear warheads”
rediff.com
deccanchronicle.com
NDTV
freepressjournal.in
“Regardless of the warhead designs, it is unlikely that India has used all its plutonium to produce warheads, and it may have kept some in reserve.”
deccanchronicle.com
NDTV
Government of India
The Indian government, responding to Parliament
“India is committed to maintaining credible minimum deterrence and a posture of 'no first use' of nuclear weapons”
rediff.com
deccanchronicle.com
NDTV
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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