The Stockholm Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released its annual report, revealing a concerning trend in the world of nuclear weapons. Despite a global decline in the overall number of nuclear weapons due to decommissioning efforts, more warheads are being kept in a state of readiness for potential use.
In January 2024, there were an estimated 12,121 total global warheads. Of these, around 9,585 were in military stockpiles for potential use, with 3,904 of these mounted on missiles and aircraft. This marks an increase from the previous year and is likely to continue and intensify in the future.
Nine countries possess nuclear weapons, with the USA and Russia leading the way with around 90 percent of all warheads. Great Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel also have nuclear capabilities. China has reportedly placed some warheads on high alert for the first time. However, transparency regarding the nuclear forces of the top two countries has decreased since Russia’s actions in Ukraine in 2022.
The Sipri experts expressed concern over the role of nuclear weapons in current international relations. They emphasized that nuclear weapons have not played such a prominent role since the Cold War and that continued efforts towards disarmament and non-proliferation are essential to mitigate the risks associated with them.
Overall, this trend poses a significant threat to global security and highlights the need for increased vigilance and action to prevent further escalation of tensions between nations with nuclear capabilities.
