How Many Nuclear Weapons Does India Have? Warheads and the Triad

India has about 190 nuclear warheads, according to the Federation of American Scientists’ 2026 estimate, slightly more than Pakistan and far fewer than China. It can deliver them by aircraft, land-based missiles and, since 2016, ballistic missile submarines, giving it a full nuclear triad. India first tested a nuclear device in 1974 and declared itself a nuclear weapons state after the Pokhran-II tests of May 1998.

This guide explains how many weapons India has, how they are delivered and how its doctrine works.

How many nuclear weapons does India have?

India does not publish the size of its arsenal. The Federation of American Scientists estimated in September 2026 that India had more than 160 warheads assigned to operational launchers and may have produced around 190 in total. The International Panel on Fissile Materials estimated that India held about 730 kilograms of weapon-grade plutonium in early 2026, enough in theory for 140 to 225 warheads. India is believed to build warheads to match its delivery systems rather than for a large reserve.

Doctrine: no first use and massive retaliation

India’s official nuclear doctrine, published in 2003, commits it to “no first use”: India says it will not use nuclear weapons first, but will respond to a nuclear attack with retaliation designed to inflict “unacceptable damage”. It also says it will not use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states. Political control rests with the Nuclear Command Authority, headed by the Prime Minister, while the weapons are managed by the tri-service Strategic Forces Command. Some Indian officials have suggested that the no-first-use pledge could be revisited, but it remains official policy.

The sea leg: Arihant-class submarines

India’s first ballistic missile submarine, INS Arihant, completed its first deterrence patrol in 2018. It was followed by INS Arighaat in August 2024 and INS Aridhaman, a larger boat that can carry eight K-4 missiles with a range of about 3,500 kilometres, in April 2026. Submarines are the hardest part of a nuclear force to destroy, so they give India a secure second-strike capability. Longer-range K-5 and K-6 missiles and larger submarines are in development. India’s wider submarine fleet is covered in a later article in this series.

Agni-V and MIRVs

The most important recent advance is the Agni-V with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs), tested in March 2024 and again in May 2026. A missile that can carry several warheads to separate targets makes India’s deterrent much harder for an opponent to defend against. Canister launch also lets India keep missiles mated with warheads and ready to fire more quickly than before. India’s missile arsenal is set out in our guide to Indian missiles.

How does India compare?

China has about 620 warheads and is expanding faster than any other country, as described in our guide to China’s nuclear weapons. Pakistan is estimated to have about 170, and unlike India it does not have a no-first-use policy and has developed short-range “tactical” nuclear weapons. India’s arsenal is designed mainly to deter China, which is why it has invested in long-range missiles and submarines.

Frequently asked questions

How many nuclear weapons does India have?

About 190 warheads, according to the Federation of American Scientists’ 2026 estimate.

Does India have a nuclear triad?

Yes. India can deliver nuclear weapons by aircraft, land-based Agni and Prithvi missiles, and K-series missiles on its Arihant-class submarines.

What is India’s nuclear doctrine?

India has a no-first-use policy, but promises massive retaliation causing unacceptable damage if it is attacked with nuclear weapons.

When did India become a nuclear power?

India first tested a nuclear device in 1974 and declared itself a nuclear weapons state after the Pokhran-II tests in May 1998.

Who has more nuclear weapons, India or Pakistan?

India has slightly more, about 190 against Pakistan’s estimated 170.

How many nuclear submarines does India have?

Three Arihant-class ballistic missile submarines: Arihant, Arighaat and Aridhaman.