Russia and the US together possess almost 90% of all nuclear weapons: SIPRI report
In its analysis, the SIPRI said China's nuclear arsenal increased from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 in January 2024, and it is expected to keep growing.
Agni 5 missile. Photo: Hindustan Times
Russia and the United States continue to dominate the global nuclear weapons landscape, possessing almost 90% of all nuclear arms.
This information comes from the latest report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), released on Monday.
The SIPRI analysis highlights the ongoing modernisation efforts of the nine nuclear-armed nations, including the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel. Several of these countries have deployed new nuclear-capable weapon systems in 2023
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In its analysis, the SIPRI said China's nuclear arsenal increased from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 in January 2024, and it is expected to keep growing.
Key takeaways from SIPRI report
- Nine nuclear-armed nations, including the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel, continued to modernise their nuclear arsenals, and several of them deployed new nuclear-capable weapon systems in 2023.
- India's "stored" nuclear warheads were 172 in January this year, while the number for Pakistan was 170.
- India slightly expanded its nuclear arsenal in 2023, Both India and Pakistan continued to develop new types of nuclear delivery systems in 2023.
- The SIPRI report said while Pakistan remains the main focus of India's nuclear deterrent, India appears to be placing growing emphasis on longer-range weapons, including those capable of reaching targets throughout China.
- Some 2,100 of the deployed warheads were kept in a state of high operational alert on ballistic missiles, and nearly all of them belonged to Russia or the US. However, for the first time, China is believed to have some warheads on high operational alert.
- Russia and the US together possess almost 90 per cent of all nuclear weapons.
- Russia is estimated to have deployed around 36 more warheads with operational forces than in January 2023, the watchdog added.
- The report said China's stockpile of nuclear warheads is still expected to remain much smaller than the stockpiles of either Russia or the US.
