China’s nuclear-capable missile arsenal has expanded significantly in recent years, with estimates placing its warhead count at around 600; the Pentagon suggests the number could exceed 1,000 by 2030. The backbone of this arsenal includes the DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile, a solid-fuel system capable of carrying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), deployed in both silos and on mobile launchers. Alongside this, the older DF-5B liquid-fuel missile remains in service and is also capable of MIRV operations, while the DF-31AG provides additional mobile ICBM capability.At intermediate ranges, the DF-26 has become a dual-capable system able to deliver both nuclear and conventional payloads, replacing the DF-21. China has also strengthened its sea-based deterrent with the JL-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile, carried aboard Type 094 submarines, and has reassigned bombers to nuclear roles with air-launched ballistic missiles such as the JL-1. The most striking development is the construction of more than 300 new missile silos, coupled with expanded fissile material production—underscoring Beijing’s ambition to achieve strategic parity with the United States.Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, though smaller, is tailored specifically to counter India. With an estimated 170 warheads, Pakistan’s doctrine of “full spectrum deterrence” rejects a no-first-use policy and emphasizes flexibility across strategic, operational and tactical levels. Its ballistic missile inventory includes the Shaheen series, with ranges extending up to 2,750 kilometres, and the short-range Nasr missile, designed for battlefield use against Indian conventional forces. Other systems include the Abdali short-range missile and the Babur ground-launched cruise missile, complemented by the air-launched Ra’ad I and II cruise missiles with ranges between 350 and 600 kilometres. This mix of tactical and strategic systems reflects Islamabad’s intent to deter India at multiple levels of conflict escalation.India is developing a national air-defence umbrella called Sudarshan Chakra. It is a multi-layered shield designed to defend against both Pakistan’s tactical nuclear systems and China’s expanding strategic arsenal. The system integrates very-short-range air-defence weapons to protect frontline troops against drones and low-flying aircraft; medium-range interceptors such as Akash and MR-SAM batteries for broader coverage; and long-range interceptors under development to provide ballistic missile defence. The architecture of the Sudarshan Chakra is conceived as a kill-web, linking sensors, shooters and command nodes across the Army, Navy and Air Force to ensure rapid detection and interception.The Sudarshan Chakra has been positioned as a strategic deterrent intended to safeguard critical infrastructure and offensive formations, while drawing lessons from Operation Sindoor in 2025, where layered defences reportedly neutralized UAV and missile attacks. Strategic planners also emphasise resilience against saturation strikes, noting shortcomings in some West Asian air-defence networks exposed during Iranian missile barrages.
