India and weapons of mass destruction
| Republic of India | |
|---|---|
Test launch of an Agni-V intermediate-range ballistic missile | |
| Nuclear programme start date | 1960 |
| First nuclear weapon test | 18 May 1974a (Operation Smiling Buddha) |
| First fusion weapon test | Unclear; see (Question over thermonuclear capability) |
| Most recent test | 13 May 1998 (Operation Shakti) |
| Largest yield test | 45 kilotons of TNT (190 TJ); (Government of India claims) |
| Number of tests to date | 2 detonations (6 explosions) |
| Peak stockpile | 180 warheads (2025) |
| Current stockpile | 180 warheads (2025) |
| Maximum missile range | Agni-V - 7,000 to 8,000 kilometres 4,300 to 5,000 miles |
| NPT Party | No |
| Nuclear triad | Yes
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| Weapons of mass destruction |
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| By type |
| By country |
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| Non-state |
| Biological weapons by country |
| Chemical weapons by country |
| Nuclear weapons by country |
| Proliferation |
| Treaties |
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India was the seventh country to develop nuclear weapons. As of 2025, India is estimated to possess 180 nuclear weapons. India previously developed chemical weapons, and is a party to the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention. India is one of four states widely believed to possess nuclear weapons that are not a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
India operates nuclear triad, consisting of approximately 80 Prithvi-II and Agni-series ballistic missiles from short to intercontinental range, 48 Mirage 2000H and Jaguar IS fighter-bombers, and 24 Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missiles aboard two Arihant-class submarines. India is developing multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle-capable land and submarine-based ballistic missiles.
India maintains a no first use nuclear policy and credible minimum deterrence doctrine. Its no first use is qualified in that while India states it generally will not use nuclear weapons first, it may do so in the event of "a major attack against India, or Indian forces anywhere, by biological or chemical weapons."
In 1974, India conducted the Smiling Buddha nuclear test. In 1998, India carried out the Operation Shakti series of nuclear weapon tests. It is unclear if India has developed boosted fission or thermonuclear weapons. Initially, India's primary strategic concern was a conflict with China, while modern Indian policy focuses on potential conflict with Pakistan, which developed its own nuclear capability in 1983. India is not a party to the NPT and has not signed Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, considering both treaties flawed and discriminatory. India is the only non-NPT state to receive a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, allowing international nuclear industry commerce since 2008.
India previously declared 1,044 tons of sulfur mustard in 1997, and destroyed its stockpile by 2009, one of the seven countries to meet the OPCW extended deadline. India also participates in the Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group, and Hague Code of Conduct.