Latest news with #Yearbook2025
Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Top 10 countries with the largest combat tank fleet in 2025: Where does India rank?
List of countries by combat tank fleet strength 2025: Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, the world has become increasingly unstable. According to an earlier Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report, the global military expenditure rose by 37 per cent between 2015 and 2025, with a sharp 9.4 per cent increase recorded just last year. As countries ramp up defence spending, the world appears to be edging closer to a new arms race, running counter to calls for global peace and disarmament. The global nuclear arsenal was estimated at 12,241 warheads as of January 2025, with around 9,614 in active military stockpiles and ready for potential deployment, according to the SIPRI Yearbook 2025. China, which has significantly modernised and expanded its military over recent decades, is now the world's second-largest defence spender after the United States of America. This growing investment has helped China overtake the US, Russia, and North Korea to become the world leader in tank strength, with a fleet of 6,800 combat tanks, according to the Global Firepower 2025 rankings. Several Middle Eastern and North African countries, including Egypt, Iran, Algeria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, also feature prominently in the global tank rankings, showing their sustained focus on armoured capabilities. In 2025, India is ranked 5th globally with a total of 4,201 combat tanks, placing it ahead of Pakistan, which ranks 7th with over 2,000 tanks. While there have been significant advances in warfare technology, combat tanks are still considered significant in combined arms warfare due to their capacity to deliver heavy firepower, withstand damage, and support infantry in complex terrain. Below are the top 10 countries with the largest combat tank fleet in the world, as estimated by Global Firepower Rankings 2025: Note: Total tank fleet by country is based on data from Global Firepower. Figures are current as of 2025. Estimates have been used where official data was unavailable. Cherry Gupta is an Assistant Manager - Content at The Indian Express. She is responsible for crafting compelling narratives, uncovering the latest news and developments, and driving engaging content based on data and trends to boost website traffic and audience engagement. One can connect with her on LinkedIn or by mail at ... Read More
New Indian Express
18-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Global military spending at all-time high in '24
NEW DELHI: Global military expenditure soared to an all-time high of $2.7 trillion in 2024, a 9.4% rise from the previous year and the tenth straight annual increase, according to the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) Yearbook 2025 released on June 16. Defence spending now accounts for 2.5% of global GDP, rising to 4.4% in conflict-hit states. Europe saw the sharpest rise at 17%, driven by the Russia–Ukraine war. Romania led with a 43% hike, followed by Poland (31%) and Germany (28%). Russia's military spending rose 38%, while Ukraine's rose 2.9%. Japan, amid regional tensions, recorded its highest defence budget growth since 1952.
Mint
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Iran-Israel tension: Which countries have how many nuclear warheads? Full list here
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) revealed in its new yearbook 2025 that nine countries worldwide possess a total of 12,241 nuclear weapons as of January 1, 2025. The new report comes amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Iran can't have a nuclear weapon". Amid the war and chaos in the Middle East, and in Russia and Ukraine, the SIPRI Yearbook 2025 showed that 'a dangerous new nuclear arms race is emerging at a time when arms control regimes are severely weakened.' The report further named the "nine states (countries)" which have nuclear warheads, and also mentioned the number of warheads that they possess. The SIPRI Yearbook 2025 stated, "At the start of 2025, nine possessed approximately 12,241 nuclear weapons, of which 9614 were considered to be potentially operationally available." Here's what the report revealed. As per the report, the nine nuclear-armed states are the US, Russia, the United Kingdom (UK), France, China, India, Pakistan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and Israel. Here's the list according to the SIPRI estimates: Russia: 5459 nuclear weapons China: 600 nuclear weapons France: 290 nuclear weapons India: 180 nuclear weapons Pakistan: 170 nuclear weapons Israel: 90 nuclear weapons North Korea: 50 nuclear weapons The report said that these countries "continued intensive nuclear modernisation programmes in 2024, upgrading existing weapons and adding newer versions." The SIPRI report further revealed that of the total global inventory of an estimated 12,241 warheads in January 2025, about 9,614 were in military stockpiles for potential use. An estimated 3,912 of those warheads were deployed with missiles and aircraft, and the rest were in central storage. Around 2,100 of the deployed warheads were kept in a state of high operational alert on ballistic missiles. "Nearly all of these warheads belonged to Russia or the USA, but China may now keep some warheads on missiles during peacetime," the report said. Credit: SIPRI Yearbook 2025 The SIPRI analysis revealed that China's nuclear arsenal is growing faster than any other country's, by about 100 new warheads a year since 2023. It also mentioned that India is believed to have once again slightly expanded its nuclear arsenal in 2024 and continued to develop new types of nuclear delivery system. The report added that "Russia and the USA together possess around 90 per cent of all nuclear weapons." It said it is likely that both Russian and US deployments of nuclear weapons will rise in the years despite their nuclear programmes facing challenges. The SIPRI report claimed that overall, the number of nuclear warheads in the world continues to decline, due to the USA and Russia dismantling retired warheads. However, it noted that 'the number of warheads being dismantled annually appears to be decreasing, and it seems likely that the rate at which retired warheads are dismantled will soon be outpaced by the rate at which new warheads enter global stockpiles.'
Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Global nuclear risks build up: Here's the list of top 9 countries with nuclear arms in 2025
A 'dangerous new nuclear arms race is emerging at a time when arms control regimes are severely weakened,' the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) stated in its Yearbook 2025, as almost all the nine nuclear-armed states continued intensive nuclear modernization programmes in 2024, upgrading existing weapons and adding newer versions. In its annual assessment of the state of armaments, disarmament and international security, SIPRI revealed India to be possessing 180 nuclear stored warheads as of January 2025, while Pakistan has an estimated 170. Meanwhile, China has 600 nuclear warheads as of January 2025, of which 24 are deployed warheads or those placed on missiles or located on bases with operational forces. Nuclear-armed states around the world The nine nuclear-armed states include the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and Israel. The Yearbook highlights that of the total global inventory of an estimated 12,241 warheads in January 2025, about 9,614 were in military stockpiles for potential usage. An estimated 3,912 of these warheads were deployed with missiles and aircraft and the rest were kept in central storage, as per the SIPRI report. Around 2,100 of the deployed warheads were kept in a state of high operational alert on ballistic missiles. Mostly all of these warheads belonged to Russia or the USA. Both these countries together possess around 90 per cent of all nuclear weapons, the report noted. Here's the list of top 9 countries currently possessing nuclear weapons: The list concludes the total inventory, which includes both stockpiled and retired warheads, to be 12, 241, in 2025. Here, military stockpile refers to all deployed warheads as well as warheads in central storage that could potentially be deployed. Whereas, retired warheads include those that have been retired from the military stockpile but have not yet been dismantled. Besides the top 9 nations, there lies potential for more states in East Asia, Europe, and Middle East to develop their own nuclear weapons in the near future. Hans M. Kristensen, Associate Senior Fellow with SIPRI's Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme and Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), said: 'The era of reductions in the number of nuclear weapons in the world, which had lasted since the end of the cold war, is coming to an end.' 'Instead, we see a clear trend of growing nuclear arsenals, sharpened nuclear rhetoric and the abandonment of arms control agreements,' Kristensen added.
News18
16-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
India Holds Nuclear Edge Over Pakistan, Leaps Ahead In Missile Tech: Global Arms Report
Last Updated: SIPRI's latest report shows India edging out Pakistan in both capability and posture as other nuclear powers race to expand arsenals amid rising global tensions As the Israel–Iran war escalates and global security tensions mount, the spectre of nuclear conflict has once again moved to the forefront. But beyond the world's largest stockpiles, it is regional rivalries that are drawing renewed scrutiny. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's (SIPRI) Yearbook 2025, India has not only widened its nuclear lead over Pakistan in terms of warhead numbers, but is also making significant technological advances in missile systems and delivery capability. SIPRI, an independent institute based in Sweden, has tracked global armaments, disarmament, and international security trends since 1966. Its annual yearbook is widely regarded as one of the most credible assessments of the world's nuclear balance. So, who's leading the nuclear race in 2025 and who's catching up fast? SIPRI's new data shows how each country is rearming in a more dangerous world. Russia Russia remains the world's leading nuclear power in terms of total warheads. SIPRI estimates it holds roughly 5,880 nuclear weapons, with many deployed on missiles and submarines, and around 2,100 kept on high operational alert, ready to launch at short notice. Despite these staggering numbers, Russia continues to modernise its nuclear arsenal, aiming to upgrade ageing systems and expand its strike capability. But 2024 saw setbacks, including delays in the Sarmat ICBM, a key next-generation missile, and slower progress across other platforms. With the New START treaty—the last remaining US–Russia arms control agreement—set to expire in 2026, and no new deal in sight, Russia is widely expected to rearm empty silos and increase its deployed warheads, especially as tensions with the West remain high. SIPRI suggests this could mark the start of a more unpredictable and unrestrained nuclear posture. United States Closely behind, the United States possesses an estimated 5,244 nuclear warheads, according to SIPRI, many of which are deployed on submarines, strategic bombers, and land-based missiles. Like Russia, a significant number of these are maintained on high operational alert, capable of being launched within minutes. SIPRI notes that the US is in the midst of a comprehensive modernisation programme, involving the replacement of ageing Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the construction of new ballistic missile submarines, and the development of next-generation air-launched cruise missiles. However, the report points out that funding and planning issues in 2024 led to delays and increased costs, raising questions about the programme's long-term timeline. At the same time, the US is adding new non-strategic (tactical) nuclear weapons to its arsenal—a move SIPRI highlights as potentially destabilising, as such weapons are seen as more likely to be used in a limited conflict. With China's nuclear arsenal expanding rapidly, SIPRI warns that internal pressure is building within US defence circles to rearm deactivated launchers and broaden deterrence options—a trend that could accelerate the global arms race. China China is the most dynamic player in the current arms race. SIPRI estimates its arsenal at over 600 nuclear warheads as of early 2025, up from roughly 500 the year before. This makes it the fastest-growing nuclear power in the world. Beijing has built over 350 new ICBM silos in three major desert regions and mountainous areas — indicating an intent to drastically increase its second-strike capabilities. SIPRI also notes that China may now be keeping some warheads mounted on missiles during peacetime, a departure from its earlier policy. At its current pace, China could possess 1,500 warheads by 2035, rivalling the US and Russia in strategic reach, a shift that could fundamentally redraw nuclear deterrence norms. France France holds around 290 nuclear warheads, a number that has remained relatively stable. But behind the scenes, it is actively investing in next-generation systems. In 2024, France continued work on a third-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) and a new air-launched cruise missile, while upgrading its current ballistic missile with a new warhead modification. President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly suggested that France's nuclear weapons could play a broader role in defending Europe, not just France. This idea of giving the French nuclear deterrent a 'European dimension" implies that, in a crisis, France might extend its nuclear protection to other European Union countries. If taken seriously, such a shift could reshape NATO's internal dynamics, especially at a time when the US commitment to European security is under question, and some European states are reconsidering their reliance on the American nuclear umbrella. United Kingdom The United Kingdom has an estimated 225 nuclear warheads, and according to SIPRI, this number is expected to increase in the coming years. In 2024, the newly elected Labour government reaffirmed its commitment to building four new nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) as part of maintaining the UK's continuous at-sea deterrence—a policy under which at least one submarine armed with nuclear weapons is always on patrol. However, SIPRI points out that operational and financial constraints continue to affect the programme's progress, raising doubts about whether construction and deployment will stay on schedule. The 2023 Integrated Review Refresh — the UK's formal defence policy update — had already approved raising the cap on the total number of warheads, reversing earlier disarmament trends. This signals a shift in the UK's strategic posture, moving it further away from its long-standing policy of gradual nuclear reduction. India India now holds an estimated 172 nuclear warheads, according to SIPRI, a modest increase from previous years. However, the more significant development lies not in the number of warheads, but in technological advancements and evolving military posture. India is working on canisterised missile systems, which allow nuclear warheads to be stored and transported pre-mounted onto missiles in sealed containers. If these systems are deployed with warheads already 'mated," it would mark a major doctrinal shift, enabling faster launch readiness and possibly indicating a move toward a more flexible deterrence strategy. There is also speculation, highlighted in SIPRI's assessment, that India's future missiles may be equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), which would allow a single missile to carry and deliver several nuclear warheads to different targets. This would significantly increase strike capability and survivability, particularly in a first-strike or counterforce scenario. Pakistan Pakistan is estimated to possess around 170 nuclear warheads, and SIPRI notes that it continues to develop new missile delivery systems and produce fissile material at a steady pace—signs of a country actively expanding its arsenal despite lacking transparency or robust oversight mechanisms. Unlike India, which maintains a declared No First Use policy, Pakistan's nuclear doctrine remains deliberately ambiguous and heavily focused on short-range tactical nuclear weapons, designed for battlefield use. This approach, often framed as a deterrent against conventional Indian military superiority, is viewed by many analysts as highly destabilising, since it lowers the threshold for nuclear use in a crisis and increases the risk of early escalation. SIPRI suggests that Pakistan's arsenal could grow further over the next decade, especially as it tries to match India's advancing delivery systems and strategic capabilities. However, Pakistan's continued reliance on opaque doctrine, coupled with its history of nuclear proliferation links and political instability, makes its expanding arsenal a significant source of regional and global concern. Israel Israel's nuclear arsenal is estimated at 80 to 90 warheads, though the country continues to maintain its long-standing policy of nuclear opacity—neither confirming nor denying that it possesses nuclear weapons. This ambiguity is strategic, allowing Israel to project deterrence without inviting direct international scrutiny or arms control obligations. What is evident, however, is that Israel is actively modernising its nuclear delivery capabilities. In 2024, the country conducted a missile propulsion test, which SIPRI assesses is likely related to the Jericho ballistic missile programme—a suspected key component of its nuclear force. Additionally, upgrades have been observed at the Dimona reactor, the core facility believed to support Israel's weapons programme through plutonium production. In the context of the ongoing Israel–Iran war, these developments take on heightened significance. While Iran is not believed to possess nuclear weapons, SIPRI and other expert assessments confirm that it has made substantial progress in uranium enrichment and advanced centrifuge development. This gives Iran the technical capacity to produce a weapon, even if it has not yet done so. The combination of Iran's nuclear latency, regional hostility, and Israel's undeclared but advanced arsenal keeps the strategic balance on a knife's edge. These dynamics are made even more volatile by the absence of any regional arms control framework, the collapse of the JCPOA nuclear deal, and the potential for miscalculation amid open conflict. SIPRI's findings underscore that nuclear ambiguity in an active war zone can be just as destabilising as overt nuclear threats. North Korea SIPRI estimates that North Korea assembled around 50 nuclear warheads as of early 2025 and has produced enough fissile material, primarily enriched uranium and plutonium, to build up to 40 more. This makes North Korea a small but rapidly advancing nuclear power, especially considering its isolated status and limited international oversight. In 2024, South Korean officials warned that North Korea was in the final stages of developing a tactical nuclear weapon—a smaller, shorter-range bomb intended for battlefield use rather than large-scale destruction. If deployed, such weapons would lower the threshold for nuclear use, making them potentially more likely to be used in a regional skirmish or limited conflict. Adding to the concern, Kim Jong Un issued a directive in November 2024 calling for a 'limitless" expansion of the country's nuclear programme, signalling that Pyongyang has no intention of slowing down or re-entering negotiations anytime soon. With diplomatic engagement stalled and military tensions continuing on the Korean peninsula, the risk of miscalculation, misinterpretation, or accidental escalation remains dangerously high, especially given the absence of crisis communication mechanisms between North Korea and its neighbours. SIPRI flagged these developments as part of a broader trend of increasing nuclear risk in unstable regions. Why These Numbers Matter In 2025 What makes SIPRI's findings urgent is not just who holds the most weapons, but how global norms are eroding. The New START treaty between the US and Russia is nearing expiration, with no replacement in sight. China is rising, but unwilling to enter arms control negotiations. And advanced technologies, from AI to missile defence, are destabilising assumptions about deterrence. top videos View all Meanwhile, as the Israel-Iran war rages, one side is confirmed to be nuclear-armed and the other is feared to be nuclear-capable. With no regional arms control, no dialogue mechanisms, and rising disinformation, the threshold for escalation is lower than ever. As SIPRI researcher Matt Korda bluntly warns: 'Nuclear weapons do not guarantee security. They come with immense risks of escalation and catastrophic miscalculation, particularly when disinformation is rife, and may end up making a country's population less safe, not more." About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Israel-Iran tensions nuclear warheads Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 16, 2025, 13:19 IST News india India Holds Nuclear Edge Over Pakistan, Leaps Ahead In Missile Tech: Global Arms Report
