Russia and United States control 83% of global nuclear arsenal amid modernization by nine powers

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimates that the world possesses roughly 12,187 nuclear warheads, with about 9,745 of them in military stockpiles ready for potential use. Of these, 2,100‑2,200 warheads are in a heightened state of readiness on ballistic missiles.

Nine nuclear‑armed states – the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel – continued modernising and expanding their arsenals throughout 2025. Russia and the United States together hold about 83 % of all operational warheads, roughly 5,420 for Russia and 5,042 for the United States. China’s stockpile stands at around 620 warheads, the United Kingdom at 225, France at about 290, India at 190, Pakistan at 170, North Korea at 60, and Israel, which does not officially acknowledge its arsenal, is estimated to have about 90 warheads.

SIPRI warns that the post‑Cold‑War decline in total nuclear weapons is reversing as modernization accelerates, potentially increasing both the size and diversity of the major powers’ arsenals in the coming years.