✦The Current State of Nuclear Weapons –
As of January 2025, the world’s nuclear arsenals remain a critical concern for global security. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), there are approximately 12,241 nuclear warheads in existence. Of these, 9,614 are part of active military stockpiles, while 2,627 are retired but not yet dismantled.
The United States and Russia continue to dominate global nuclear inventories, together possessing nearly 90% of all nuclear weapons. The U.S. maintains 5,177 warheads (1,770 deployed, 1,930 in storage), while Russia holds 5,459 warheads (1,718 deployed, 2,591 in storage). Globally, 3,912 warheads are actively deployed on missiles or stationed with operational forces, with around 2,100 kept on high alert, ready for potential launch within minutes.
✦Key Nuclear-Armed States and Their Arsenals
●.United States (5,177 warheads) – Leads in deployed warheads (1,770) and maintains a large reserve stockpile.
●.Russia (5,459 warheads) – Slightly larger total inventory than the U.S., with a significant number of stored warheads (2,591).
●.China (600 warheads) – Rapidly expanding its arsenal, now including 24 deployed warheads, a shift from its traditionally storage-only posture.
●.France (290 warheads) – Maintains a fully operational force with most warheads deployed (280).
●.United Kingdom (225 warheads) – A smaller but modernized arsenal, with 120 warheads deployed.
●.India (180 warheads) & Pakistan (170 warheads) – Continue their regional arms race, with all warheads in storage.
●.Israel (90 warheads) – Maintains an undeclared but widely acknowledged nuclear capability.
●.North Korea (50 warheads) – Despite limited confirmed numbers, its nuclear program remains a major concern.
✦Emerging Trends and Risks
❖Modernization and Expansion
︎ The U.S. and Russia are upgrading aging nuclear systems.
︎ China’s rapid growth in warhead numbers suggests a shift toward a more assertive nuclear posture.
︎ India and Pakistan continue developing new delivery systems, increasing regional instability.
❖Erosion of Arms Control︎
The New START Treaty between the U.S. and Russia expires in 2026, with no clear replacement.
︎ No progress on multilateral nuclear disarmament talks.
︎ Lack of transparency from China and North Korea complicates risk assessment.
❖Technological Threats︎
Hypersonic missiles reduce decision-making time, increasing the risk of accidental conflict.
︎ Cyber vulnerabilities in nuclear command systems pose new dangers.
︎ Artificial intelligence in early warning systems could lead to miscalculations.
✦Policy Recommendations
To mitigate nuclear risks, the international community should:
︎ Revive U.S.-Russia arms control talks and include China in future agreements.
︎ Establish crisis communication channels to prevent accidental escalation.
︎ Encourage transparency through voluntary data exchanges among nuclear states.
︎ Promote no-first-use policies to reduce the likelihood of nuclear conflict.
✦Conclusion:
While the total number of nuclear weapons has declined since the Cold War, the modernization of arsenals, deteriorating arms control agreements, and rising geopolitical tensions make the current era uniquely dangerous. Without urgent diplomatic action, the risk of nuclear use—whether by accident, miscalculation, or intent—remains unacceptably high. The world must prioritize renewed arms control efforts and risk reduction measures before it is too late.
✦Eelaththu Nilavan✦
21/06/2025
✦The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Amizhthu’s editorial stance.
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