Overview
- After Monday's SIPRI report showed a global total of about 12,187 warheads, researchers noted deployed warheads rose from roughly 3,912 to 4,012 in a year, signaling a reversal of the long downward trend.
- A separate ICAN study found nuclear-armed states spent a record near $119 billion on their arsenals in 2025, a 19% jump that ICAN says locks in long-term investments and planned spending over coming decades.
- SIPRI estimates between about 2,100 and 2,200 deployed warheads were kept at maximum operational alert on missiles, with the vast majority held by the United States and Russia.
- China is expanding its arsenal faster than any other country and is estimated at about 620 warheads, which SIPRI says could change the balance of delivery systems by 2030 if current trends continue.
- France's reported rise from 290 to 370 warheads is explained by the reclassification of 80 retired TN75 warheads awaiting dismantlement, a move that highlights changing national accounting, reduced transparency and wider risks from policy choices.