Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
India has reportedly deployed at least 12 nuclear warheads in an operational state for the first time, according to the latest report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The report suggests that India has moved away from its long-standing practice of storing nuclear warheads separately from their delivery systems, marking a significant shift in its nuclear posture.
SIPRI estimates that India possesses a total of 190 nuclear warheads as of January 2026, with at least 12 now reportedly integrated with missiles, submarines, or other operational platforms. This indicates that some of India's nuclear weapons are kept ready for immediate deployment rather than being held in separate storage facilities.
The report states that India's evolving strategy appears to be influenced by growing security concerns related to China and Pakistan. It notes that developments such as canisterized missile systems and continuous sea-based deterrence patrols suggest India is moving toward maintaining a portion of its nuclear arsenal in a launch-ready condition even during peacetime.
This is the first time SIPRI has described India's nuclear weapons as being operationally deployed rather than simply stockpiled. The reported change could represent a notable evolution in India's nuclear deterrence strategy, although there has been no official confirmation from the Indian government regarding the findings.
