Global nuclear weapons spending is projected to reach a record $119 billion in 2026.
Reports from ICAN and SIPRI warn of a new arms race as nuclear spending increases by 19%, with the US and China leading in budgets for modernizing their arsenals.
According to the latest figures from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), nine nuclear-armed nations have invested a total of nearly $119 billion in their arsenals by 2026. This figure marks a 19% increase compared to 2024, raising concerns about a new generation of nuclear arms race emerging.
Analysis of nuclear budgets by country
The US continues to lead in military spending in this area with $69.2 billion. China ranks second with $13.5 billion, closely followed by the UK with a budget of $12.6 billion. Other countries including France, India, Israel, Pakistan, and North Korea also show a strong trend of increasing investment in nuclear capabilities.
Risks from technology and the collapse of control agreements.
A report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicates that while the total number of nuclear warheads globally is trending slightly downward to 12,187 units, the number of weapons ready for combat has increased to 9,745. SIPRI Director Karim Haggag emphasized that the breakdown in strategic arms control and competition between major powers are pushing the level of risk higher than ever before.
Notably, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into nuclear command systems is assessed by experts from ICAN as a factor increasing the risk of unintended weapons use. Susi Snyder, Director of Programs at ICAN, stated that the combination of escalating spending and AI is an alarming situation for global security.
Structure of the world's nuclear arsenal
The United States and Russia currently hold approximately 83% of the world's total nuclear arsenal, each possessing over 5,000 warheads. However, China is emerging as the fastest-growing nuclear weapons stockpile, currently boasting around 620 warheads. Below is a preliminary table outlining the nuclear weapons situation:
| Index | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Total number of warheads worldwide | 12,187 |
| Quantity available | 9,745 |
| US-Russia ownership ratio | 83% |
| China's number of warheads | 620 |
Overall, the pace of dismantling aging weapons systems is showing signs of slowing down, while the deployment of new systems is being accelerated by nuclear powers. This trend predicts that the total amount of nuclear weapons stockpiled is likely to increase again in the coming years, reflecting a profound shift in global defense strategy.
