NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked on Wednesday that the Pokhran II nuclear tests underscored that “no power can bend India.” These tests, codenamed ‘Operation Shakti’, comprised a series of five nuclear explosions conducted in May 1998, marking India’s formal entry into the global “nuclear club” as the sixth nation to declare itself a nuclear-armed state.
The tests were carried out over two days: three explosions on May 11 and two on May 13. Commemorating the anniversary of Pokhran II, Modi stated on X, “On this very day in 1998, the nuclear tests conducted by India demonstrated to the world just how unwavering our nation’s resolve is! After the May 11 tests, the entire world brought pressure to bear on India, but we demonstrated that no power can bend India.”
According to a 2025 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India increased its nuclear warhead stockpile from 172 in 2024 to 180 by early 2025, slightly surpassing Pakistan’s estimated 170 nuclear weapons. Projections suggest that India’s arsenal could reach 190 by 2026. The report highlights continuous developments in new nuclear delivery systems, including “canisterised” missiles capable of transporting warheads during peacetime and potentially carrying multiple warheads once operational.
India is actively enhancing its nuclear capability with a focus on achieving “credible minimum deterrence” and a reliable second-strike capability across its nuclear triad—land, air, and sea. Recently, on May 8, India successfully flight-tested an advanced Agni missile equipped with Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) capability, allowing a single missile to carry several nuclear warheads.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has also made significant upgrades to its nuclear delivery systems, enhancing the aerial component of its nuclear triad. While older, battle-tested platforms like Jaguar fighter jets and Mirage 2000 remain in service, the integration of modern, multi-role fighters such as Rafales and Sukhois is crucial to this strategic evolution.
Additionally, India has expanded its Arihant-class submarine program, which now includes four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) as part of the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, aimed at ensuring a survivable second-strike capability. The submarines, INS Arihant, INS Arighaat, and INS Aridhaman, are equipped with nuclear-capable K-15 and K-4 missiles and have been commissioned into the Navy, while the fourth submarine is currently under construction and expected to be commissioned soon.
