How Many Nukes Does Pakistan Have?

How many nuclear warheads Pakistan holds, what carries them, and its test and treaty record, as of early 2026. Two independent counts (FAS and SIPRI) are shown side by side, every figure cited.

By Marko Visic, BSc Physics

Pakistan has an estimated 170 nuclear warheads as of early 2026 (FAS). FAS lists none as deployed and 170 held in reserve. SIPRI’s January 2026 count matches.^{[1, 2]}

Warhead count

FAS and SIPRI are compiled by the same analysts and agree on the totals; they split the categories slightly differently. Retired warheads are awaiting dismantlement and are not part of the reserve.

FAS (beginning of 2026 (FAS page updated 2026-06-09))

Deployed (strategic)	0
Reserve / nondeployed	170
Military stockpile	170
Total inventory	170

SIPRI (January 2026 (SIPRI Yearbook 2026, Table 8A.1))

Deployed	–
Stored (nondeployed)	170
Military stockpile	170
Retired, awaiting dismantlement	. .
Total inventory	170

Terms: deployed = on missiles or at bomber bases; reserve / stored = non-deployed but in the stockpile; military stockpile = deployed + reserve; retired = withdrawn, awaiting dismantlement; total inventory = stockpile + retired.^{[1, 2]}

How Pakistan delivers them

Delivery systems from the latest Nuclear Notebook / SIPRI table (2025 (Nuclear Notebook, published 2025-09-04)). A “?” or a dash is the source’s own mark of an uncertain or unstated figure.^[3]

Abdali (Hatf-2), Ghaznavi (Hatf-3), Shaheen-I/A (Hatf-4), Nasr (Hatf-9)^[3]
Ghauri (Hatf-5), Shaheen-II (Hatf-6)^[3]
450 km (declared)^[3]
290 km^[3]
650 km (maximum)^[3]
900 km (declared)^[3]
single conventional or nuclear warhead; 1,300 km^[3]
"fewer than 50" launchers (NASIC 2020)^[3]
"fewer than 50" launchers (US intelligence community, 2020)^[3]
2,000 km^[3]
70 km (extended from 60 km)^[3]
600 and 700 km (Pakistan government); US intelligence: 350 km^[3]
Mirage III and Mirage V squadrons most likely nuclear-tasked^[3]
nuclear capability uncertain^[3]

Pakistan’s nuclear tests

First ctbto: 1998-05-28, Ras Koh Range (CTBTO counts two tests)^[4]
1998 05 28 claimed: 5 explosions (distribution unclear), 40–45 kt total^[5]
Last: 1998-05-30: 1 explosion, 12–18 kt^[5]
Total claimed: six explosions (reportedly)^[5]

Pakistan's per-system warhead allocation is published only as a table image and is not reproduced here; the systems and their ranges are listed above.

Treaty status

NPT: non-party (never joined)^[6]
CTBT: not signed^[7]

Frequently asked questions

How many nuclear weapons does Pakistan have?

Pakistan has an estimated 170 nuclear warheads as of early 2026, according to the Federation of American Scientists. SIPRI’s January 2026 count is the same.^[1]

When did Pakistan first test a nuclear weapon?

Pakistan’s first nuclear test is recorded as 1998-05-28, Ras Koh Range (CTBTO counts two tests).^[4]

Is Pakistan part of the Non-Proliferation Treaty?

On the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Pakistan is: non-party (never joined).^[6]

Every figure on this page comes from a verified primary source, cited inline and listed below. Warhead counts are the Federation of American Scientists’ Status of World Nuclear Forces and SIPRI’s Yearbook; delivery systems come from the Nuclear Notebook; blast radii are calculated from Glasstone & Dolan scaling laws. Candidate and unverified figures are withheld.

Data as of 22 October 2026. By Marko Visic, BSc Physics.

Sources

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