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2w ago

Global Nuclear Arsenals Expand as Disarmament Era Ends

SIPRI warns nuclear powers are accelerating stockpile growth under weakened arms control that intensifies strategic uncertainty.

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A formation of China's Dongfeng-41 nuclear missiles.
SIPRI revises its world nuclear forces data every year based on new information. (X)

Overview

  • Beijing has reached an estimated 600 warheads by January 2025 and has added roughly 100 warheads annually since 2023, with hundreds of new ICBM silos under construction that could match US and Russian missile forces by 2030.
  • The United States and Russia hold about 90 percent of the world’s 12,241 warheads and are implementing extensive modernization of their land, sea and air delivery systems.
  • India’s inventory grew to roughly 180 warheads in 2025 alongside tests of canisterised Agni-P missiles and MIRV-capable Agni-5 systems, while Pakistan continues to expand its fissile material reserves and advanced delivery platforms.
  • North Korea is estimated to possess around 50 warheads plus enough fissile material for up to 40 more, and Israel is believed to be upgrading an unacknowledged arsenal of about 90 weapons.
  • Rapid advances in artificial intelligence, cyber, space and quantum technologies are reshaping nuclear command, control and deterrence, raising the risks of miscalculation.