Comparing India and China's Nuclear-Capable Missile Forces Across All Ranges

For decades China and India have expanded ballistic missile stockpiles that underpin their nuclear deterrence strategies. China’s Dongfeng line and India’s Agni series span short-range road-mobile rockets such as the DF-16 and Agni-I, intermediate systems like the DF-21/DF-26 and Agni-II/Agni-III, and intercontinental platforms including the DF-31A and DF-41 versus India’s Agni-V and the under-development Agni-VI. While Chinese missiles tend to carry heavier payloads and, in the case of the DF-41, multiple independently targetable warheads, Indian missiles are noted for tighter accuracy, allowing use of lower-yield warheads. Strategically, China is building capability to strike U.S. installations across the Pacific, whereas India’s doctrine, anchored in a no-first-use pledge, focuses on survivable retaliation against any nuclear-armed adversary.