SIPRI Report Warns of Escalating Nuclear Risks Amidst Disinformation and Technological Advancements
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its 2025 annual report, painting a concerning picture of the global nuclear landscape. The report highlights the precarious situation that unfolded earlier in the year during Operation Sindoor, a period of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Disinformation campaigns, coupled with strikes targeting nuclear-related military infrastructure, brought the two nuclear-armed nations perilously close to a major escalation, underscoring the fragility of peace in the region. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential for conventional conflicts to rapidly spiral into nuclear crises, particularly in the presence of misleading information and provocative actions.
The SIPRI report warns of a burgeoning nuclear arms race, characterized not just by increasing quantities of warheads, but also by qualitative advancements in weaponry and delivery systems. While the overall number of nuclear weapons globally has seen a slight decline due to the dismantling of retired warheads by the US and Russia, the number of active, deployable warheads is on the rise. This shift signals a concerning reversal of the post-Cold War trend of nuclear arms reduction. Furthermore, the pace of dismantling has slowed considerably, raising the possibility that it could soon be eclipsed by the production of new warheads.
India, according to SIPRI, possesses an estimated 180 nuclear warheads, a slight increase from the previous year. These warheads are distributed across a maturing nuclear triad consisting of land-based missiles, aircraft, and nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). India’s recent deployment of canisterized missiles and its undertaking of sea-based deterrent patrols suggest a move towards maintaining a higher state of readiness, potentially with some warheads mated to their launchers even during peacetime. The report also notes India’s successful test of a multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) equipped Agni-V missile, further enhancing its nuclear capabilities. While Pakistan’s arsenal remains relatively static at approximately 170 warheads, the report indicates ongoing development of new delivery systems and the accumulation of fissile material, hinting at a potential expansion in the coming decade.
China, according to SIPRI, is undergoing the most significant nuclear expansion of any nuclear-armed state. Its stockpile is estimated to have grown to between 500 and 600 warheads, a substantial increase from the previous year. The report highlights China’s development and deployment of dual-capable delivery systems, such as the DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile and the CH-AS-X-13 air-launched ballistic missile, which can be armed with either conventional or nuclear payloads. This growing arsenal, combined with China’s increasing assertiveness on the global stage, further complicates the already complex nuclear landscape.
The report emphasizes that modern arms races are less about sheer numbers and more about technological superiority. Rapid advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cyber warfare, quantum sensing, and space technologies are reshaping the dynamics of deterrence and creating new avenues for instability. AI, with its ability to rapidly process vast amounts of data, could compress decision-making timelines during crises, increasing the risk of miscalculation, miscommunication, or even accidental conflict. Quantum technologies pose a threat to existing cryptographic standards and could enable new forms of global surveillance, potentially jeopardizing the perceived invulnerability of nuclear-powered submarines.
Another area of concern highlighted in the report is the development of nuclear missile defense systems. Such systems, if effective, could undermine the principle of deterrence by reducing the fear of retaliation, potentially emboldening states to consider using nuclear weapons. The erosion of arms control agreements further exacerbates these risks. The New START treaty, the last remaining strategic arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, is set to expire in early 2026 with no current negotiations for its renewal or replacement. This lack of progress in arms control, combined with the rapid technological advancements, paints a worrying picture of a future with increased nuclear risks. The report calls for renewed efforts towards disarmament and international cooperation to mitigate these growing dangers and prevent a new, more perilous arms race.
