Nuclear weapons remain a challenge that threatens world peace.

A report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on June 7 provided alarming statistics: There are currently more than 5,000 nuclear weapons deployed worldwide. Nuclear powers are continuing to develop new nuclear programs to enhance their capabilities, undermining the disarmament efforts pursued by the international community.

According to SIPRI data, currently the world's eight nuclear powers: Russia, the US, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan and Israel, possess more than 20,500 nuclear weapons.

SIPRI: "Despite many efforts to reduce weapons, the nuclear threat remains high". - Photo: Ria Novosti

According to the above report: "Currently, there are about 5,000 nuclear weapons deployed and ready for use in the world, of which nearly 2,000 nuclear weapons are maintained in a state of high operational alert."

In addition, the latest SIPRI report also pointed out that, as of January 2011, the number of nuclear weapons owned by Russia had reached 11,000, of which 2,427 nuclear weapons had been deployed, while the above figures for the US were 8,500 and 2,150 nuclear weapons, respectively.

In April 2010, the world's two leading nuclear powers, Russia and the United States, signed the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), which stipulates that the two countries will have to reduce their nuclear weapons to a maximum of 1,550 nuclear warheads. The figures stated in the New START between Russia and the United States are also facing conflicting opinions from SIPRI experts. Speaking on the official website of SIPRI, Mr. Shannon Kile, a veteran researcher of this research institute, said: "In a broad sense, the provisions on arms reduction stated in the New START between Russia and the United States are a practical step towards the future of nuclear disarmament in the context that these two countries have pursued plans to develop nuclear forces for decades and consider nuclear modernization a top priority in defense policy." Meanwhile, according to many other SIPRI experts, the reduction figures given by Russia and the US are still quite modest, and at the same time, they recommend that "Both Russia and the US are currently deploying new nuclear weapons delivery systems or have announced their intention to pursue this plan, as well as expressing their stance of wanting to retain their nuclear arsenals for an indefinite future."

The AP news agency quoted Daniel Nord, deputy director of SIPRI, as saying that the US is planning to allocate $92 billion for nuclear weapons infrastructure projects over the next 10 years. Meanwhile, Russia is also planning to modernize its ballistic missile system and equip eight new nuclear submarines. According to Mr. Nord, the UK has just made a preliminary decision to maintain its nuclear weapons force at the current level, China is modernizing its missile equipment and France has just completed a similar modernization program. Speaking to AP reporters, Mr. Nord said: "Nuclear weapon states have sent a message that they want to maintain their nuclear weapons for the next 30-50 years."

In addition, the recently published report by SIPRI also points out that India and Pakistan are not only continuing to pursue the development of new cruise and ballistic missile systems capable of carrying nuclear weapons, but are also working to expand their ability to produce separate fuels for military purposes. Despite Tel Aviv's repeated denials, the latest SIPRI report also claims that Israel currently possesses up to 80 nuclear warheads.

Commenting on the discussions at the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, SIPRI said that the event revealed “deep divisions” between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states. “These divisions have cast a shadow over the prospects for progress in even the most modest steps toward a final document,” SIPRI said.

According to cpv.org.vn