Bhubaneswar, June 9 -- India has deployed nuclear warheads for the first time, according to the SIPRI Yearbook 2026 released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The report highlights a significant development in India's nuclear posture, revealing that 12 Indian nuclear warheads were operationally deployed in 2025, while China increased its deployed warheads from 24 to 34 during the same period.

The Swedish think tank, known for its research on conflict, armaments and arms control, said countries are increasingly relying on nuclear weapons as instruments of national power. According to the report, around 4,012 nuclear warheads remain deployed with missiles and aircraft worldwide.

SIPRI estimated that the glob...