"Ramping Up the Cold War" - The Resurgence of Nation's Nuclear Weapons
Nations amass substantial nuclear reserves.
In response to global conflicts, nations are bolstering their arsenals, and nuclear weapons are no exception. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) warns that we've entered a new era of danger, as countries are stockpiling and restoring their atomic stockpiles. In early 2025, roughly 9,614 warheads were in military readiness, with around 2,100 of those on high alert, primarily owned by the United States and Russia.
The SIPRI reports that the era of lessening nuclear arms is ending. Instead, a trend of expanding nuclear arsenals, escalating nuclear rhetoric, and the abandonment of arms control agreements are taking hold. Nine nations—the United States, Russia, Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel—are, according to SIPRI, planning on increasing their stockpiles due to international tension. Russia and the U.S., which constitute approximately 90% of all nuclear weapons, surprisingly maintained relatively stable operational warhead sizes in 2024. However, both countries are in the process of significant modernization, which could potentially increase their arsenals in the future.
Leading the charge in this nuclear arms race is China, which has reportedly added around 100 new warheads each year since 2023. By the end of the decade, China could potentially match Russia or the U.S.'s number of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). As of 2025, it is estimated that Russia and the U.S. have approximately 5,459 and 5,177 nuclear warheads, while China holds around 600.
Politically, the nine nuclear nations must work towards disarmament and preventing conflict escalation. For instance, an outspoken member of the German parliament, Norbert Röttgen, stressed that Iran must never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.
- Nuclear Arms Race
Although SIPRI concentrates on China's quick nuclear buildup, other nations are also increasing their nuclear capabilities.
- Russia, with the biggest arsenal, holds approximately 4,380 warheads, a noteworthy portion of which are kept on high operational alert.
- The United States has around 3,708 warheads, many of which are also on high alert as part of ongoing modernization plans.
- China, with over 600 warheads, indicates a potential shifting posture through additional ICBM silos and possibly placing warheads on missiles during peacetime.
- France and the United Kingdom, maintaining around 290 and 225 warheads, respectively, are modernizing their arsenals.
- India, with an estimated 180 warheads, has shown gradual growth, while Pakistan, with approximately 170 warheads, continues with nuclear developments.
- Israel is suspected to be modernizing its small arsenal of around 90 warheads, and North Korea has up to 90 warheads but depends on the availability of fissile material, with recent increases noted.
In conclusion, China's nuclear expansion has set a new stage in global nuclear competition, focusing not just on numbers but also on technological advancements and posture adjustments. Urgent calls for disarmament and de-escalation are critical to ensuring our future security.
- The escalating nuclear rhetoric and arms buildup in war-and-conflicts, such as the increasing stockpiles of nations like Russia, the United States, China, and others, underscore the need for the community policy to focus on disarmament and conflict prevention, as emphasized by members like Norbert Röttgen from Germany.
- As SIPRI reports, the trend of expanding nuclear arsenals among key players, including the United States, Russia, China, and others, has significant implications for global politics, making general-news coverage of nuclear weapons and their proliferation more imperative than ever.
