India and Pakistan's Nuclear Arsenal Compared
World India and Pakistan's Nuclear Arsenal Compared
A Pakistani-made Shaheen-III missile. A Pakistani-made Shaheen-III missile, that is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, are displayed during a military parade to mark Pakistan National Day, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 23, 2022. The world's nine nuclear-armed states continue to modernize their nuclear weapons as the countries continue to deepen their reliance on such deterrence in 2023, a Swedish think tank, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said Monday, June 17, 2024. In Asia, India, Pakistan and North Korea are all pursuing the capability to deploy multiple warheads on ballistic missiles, the institute said.
Anjum Naveed/AP Photo
Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, fears of nuclear conflict are mounting as both nations possess nearly 200 nuclear warheads and continue to modernize their arsenals.
India, which has long adhered to a No First Use (NFU) policy, has recently signaled possible reconsideration, while Pakistan, which has no such policy, maintains the right to strike first.
Why It Matters
Concerns about the potential for a nuclear exchange have intensified following a sharp uptick in hostilities. Last month, gunmen killed 26 people-mostly Indian tourists-in Indian-controlled Kashmir. In response, India launched airstrikes on nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, claiming they were militant staging grounds. Pakistan said the strikes hit civilian areas and has issued an ultimatum, warning of further action unless Indian operations cease.
What To Know
India has about 172 nuclear warheads, while Pakistan possesses roughly 170, according to the Arms Control Association. Despite their similar numbers, the countries diverge in nuclear doctrine. India publicly maintains an NFU doctrine, pledging to use nuclear weapons only in retaliation. However, recent rhetoric from Indian leadership has hinted at revisiting that stance. Pakistan has never adopted a similar policy and reserves the option of preemptive use.
Tactical Capabilities
India holds the advantage in missile range and strategic deterrence. Its Agni-V ballistic missile can reach up to 8,000 kilometers, enabling strikes deep into enemy territory. Pakistan's longest-range missile under development, the Shaheen III, has a reach of about 2,750 kilometers. Pakistan also deploys tactical nuclear weapons, including the Nasr (Hatf-9), a short-range missile with a 70-kilometer range designed for battlefield use.
Military Strength
India outpaces Pakistan in active military personnel: 1.24 million in the army, 149,000 in the air force, and 75,500 in the navy. Pakistan has about 560,000 army troops, 70,000 in the air force, and 30,000 in its navy. India also operates a 13,350-strong coast guard.
What People Are Saying
Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned: "If India backs down, we'll definitely wrap up these things...These are not hostile acts-we are just defending our territory."
India's Defense Ministry, in a statement: "Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistan military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution."
U.S. President Donald Trump said in the Oval Office: "They have been fighting for many, many decades, and centuries if you really think about it. I just hope it ends very quickly."
What Happens Next
With both nations refusing to back down, the risk of further escalation remains high. Diplomatic efforts will likely intensify in the coming days, but experts warn that without de-escalation, even a limited conflict could spiral into a devastating nuclear confrontation.
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This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 11:14 AM.
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