India’s nuclear arsenal is estimated at 190 warheads, which includes 30 additional warheads for new missiles under production, according to a US nonprofit policy think tank.
India’s nuclear arsenal includes over 160 warheads for operational launchers as well as additional warheads for new missiles in production, it said. “We estimate that India may have produced enough military plutonium for 140 to 225 nuclear warheads and might have assembled up to 190.
“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,” according to the article titled ‘India’s Nuclear Weapons – 2026’ penned by FAS Nuclear Information Project Director Hans Kristensen. With more weapon systems in development, the country’s warhead stockpile will likely increase further,” it said.
India adopted the no-first-use doctrine after the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998 and continues to adhere to the policy. The FAS article said as of the beginning of 2026, the International Panel on Fissile Materials estimated India to have produced approximately 730 kg (plus/minus about 170 kg) of weapon-grade plutonium.
“India is committed to maintaining credible minimum deterrence and a posture of ‘no first use’ of nuclear weapons,” the government told Parliament recently. “Assuming approximately four kilogramme of plutonium per warhead, this would theoretically be sufficient for producing anywhere between 140 and 225 nuclear warheads,” it said.
