SIPRI Yearbook 2026 - India World's 5th Largest Military Spender at $92.1 Billion; 2nd Largest Arms Importer; 190 Nuclear Warheads as of January 2026 | Current Affairs

India was the fifth largest military spender in the world, with an expenditure of USD 92.1 billion in 2025, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), launched on Monday, June 8, 2026. India's military spending jumped 8.9 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024.

SIPRI also stated that India was the world's second-largest arms importer from 2021 to 2025, accounting for 8.2 per cent of global imports. India continued to expand its nuclear arsenal in 2025, and by January 2026, it had about 190 nuclear warheads. Pakistan's estimated nuclear stockpile stood at 170 warheads as of January 2026.

The global military expenditure reached a record high of $2.89 trillion in 2025. The US remained the largest spender at $954 billion, followed by China, Russia, and Germany. India ranked fifth. At the start of 2026, nine states possessed approximately 12,187 nuclear weapons, of which 9,745 were in military stockpiles. SIPRI noted India's continued development of the Agni-V missile, warning it could complicate the China-India-Pakistan nuclear balance. The report also mentioned the "unusually severe military crisis" between India and Pakistan in May 2025 (Operation Sindoor), noting both sides took steps to avoid escalation.

Background: SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) is an independent international institute dedicated to research on conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament. Founded in 1966, it publishes the authoritative SIPRI Yearbook annually. The 2026 edition coincides with SIPRI's 60th anniversary. India has maintained a position among the top 5 global military spenders for several years, driven by its large armed forces, border security requirements, and modernisation programmes under initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India for defence. India's rank of 2nd largest arms importer despite being the 5th largest spender reflects the gap between domestic production ambitions and current procurement realities.

Why in News: SIPRI reports are among the most-cited defence data sources in competitive exams. Key facts for SSC CGL, Banking, UPSC, and Railway exams include India's rank (5th spender), amount ($92.1 billion), growth (8.9%), global total ($2.89 trillion), top spenders ranking (USA, China, Russia, Germany, India), India's arms importer rank (2nd), India's nuclear warheads (190), Pakistan's nuclear warheads (170), total global nuclear weapons (12,187), and SIPRI's founding year (1966).

Key Points to Remember:

SIPRI Yearbook 2026 released: June 8, 2026
India's military spending 2025: USD 92.1 billion (8.9% increase from 2024)
India's global rank in military spending: 5th
Top 5 military spenders (2025): 1. USA ($954 bn) → 2. China → 3. Russia → 4. Germany → 5. India ($92.1 bn)
Global military expenditure 2025: Record $2.89 trillion
India = world's 2nd largest arms importer (2021-2025); 8.2% of global imports
Largest arms importer (2021-2025): Ukraine (due to Russia-Ukraine conflict)
India's nuclear warheads: ~190 (as of January 2026)
Pakistan's nuclear warheads: ~170 (as of January 2026)
Total global nuclear weapons: ~12,187 (start of 2026); 9,745 in military stockpiles
9 nuclear-armed states: USA, Russia, UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel
SIPRI highlighted Agni-V as potentially complicating China-India-Pakistan nuclear balance
Report mentioned India-Pakistan "unusually severe military crisis" of May 2025 (Operation Sindoor)
SIPRI Yearbook 2026 coincides with SIPRI's 60th anniversary (founded 1966)

Related Static GK:

SIPRI full form: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
SIPRI founded: 1966; headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
SIPRI Yearbook: Annual publication on global armaments, disarmament, and security
India's defence budget FY2025-26: approximately Rs 6.81 lakh crore (~$82 billion at current exchange rate)
India's armed forces: Army (~1.4 million active), Navy, Air Force; total active personnel ~1.45 million (3rd largest in world)
Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence: Policy to reduce arms imports; positive indigenisation list; DPP 2020
Agni-V: India's intercontinental-capable ballistic missile; range 5,000-8,000 km; developed by DRDO
Operation Sindoor (May 2025): India's precision military strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK
NPT full form: Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; India is NOT a signatory
NSG full form: Nuclear Suppliers Group; India seeks full membership
India-USA 123 Agreement (2008): Civil nuclear cooperation deal