US and Russia hold 83% of the world’s growing nuclear arsenals

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reports that the global stock of nuclear warheads has risen to about 12,187, with roughly 9,745 warheads in active deployment. The United States and Russia together account for roughly 83 % of the total, each possessing more than 5,000 warheads, and continue to modernise their forces despite funding and technical challenges.

Disarmament has slowed, and new warheads are being mounted at a faster pace – an estimated 4,012 warheads were newly installed on missiles and aircraft last year. Other nuclear powers are also expanding: China’s arsenal is estimated at 620 warheads, France 290, the United Kingdom 225, India 190, Pakistan 170, North Korea about 60, and Israel around 90. Analysts warn that the increasing number of deployed weapons raises the risk of nuclear use and could reverse the post‑Cold‑War trend of gradual reduction.

SIPRI cautions that the growing geopolitical competition is prompting states to revive previously stored warheads and to equip more delivery systems, heightening overall nuclear danger.