Nuclear-armed nations are bulk-buying their weapons stockpiles in a fresh epoch
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) has issued a grave warning, asserting that the world is entering a new age of danger as nuclear-armed nations are beefing up their arsenals once again after a period of decline.
In 2025, the global estimated total of nuclear warheads stood at around 12,241, with about 9,614 ready for immediate use. Roughly 2,100 of these warheads were placed on high-alert ballistic missiles, mostly belonging to either the United States or Russia, as per Sipri's annual report released on Monday.
The institute has expressed concern over the reversal of the downward trend that had been in effect since the end of the Cold War. Instead, there's a disturbing rise in nuclear rhetoric and the abandonment of arms control agreements.
The nine nuclear powers—the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel—have all signaled their intention to expand their stockpiles. While Russia and the United States, who together possess around 90% of the world's nuclear arms, kept their operational warhead numbers relatively stable in 2024, ongoing modernization programs could lead to larger arsenals in the future. Notably, China, the fastest-growing nuclear nation, has been increasing its stockpile by approximately 100 new warheads each year since 2023.
The unabated expansion of nuclear arsenals is a cause of alarm not only because of the escalating tensions but also due to the development of new delivery systems, such as hypersonic weapons and potential space-based systems. Additionally, emerging nuclear powers like North Korea, Pakistan, and Iran continue to make strides in their nuclear programs. North Korea remains active with regular missile tests, Pakistan is developing intercontinental capabilities, and Iran's nuclear breakout time is alarmingly low, estimated to be just a few weeks.
Meanwhile, Israel, with an estimated 90 warheads, and India, increasing its stockpile, maintain ambiguous nuclear postures, preferring secrecy over disclosure of their programs.
The rise in global tensions coupled with the erosion of arms control agreements is the primary catalyst for this revival of nuclear arms competition. The Great Power Rivalry, reminiscent of the Cold War, is driving the arms race. Countries such as South Korea are contemplating acquiring nuclear weapons to counter North Korea, while France is considering establishing a European "nuclear umbrella" as uncertainty around the US commitment to NATO persists.
In conclusion, the world stands at the brink of a dangerous turning point, with the risk of nuclear confrontation at its highest in decades. The specter of increased nuclear proliferation and instability hangs heavy over global security and arms control efforts. The lack of transparency from certain nations, combined with new technologies and regional rivalries, underscores the urgency for peaceful dialogue and diplomacy.
The escalating tensions, as stated in the global general news, are causing concern due to the resurgence of nuclear arsenals experienced by various war-and-conflicts-prone nations, as indicated by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's report. The instability in the politics of these countries, such as the Great Power Rivalry and erosion of arms control agreements, is detrimental to the peaceful dialogue and diplomacy needed to counter nuclear proliferation.
