According to the latest publication from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global nuclear arsenals continued to grow and modernize throughout 2025. The nine nuclear powers-the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel-maintained their programs aimed at upgrading and enhancing their nuclear stockpiles.
As of January 2026, the worldwide count estimated approximately 12,187 warheads, with about 9,745 of those maintained in military readiness for potential deployment. Of these, roughly 4,012 were stationed on rockets and aircraft, while the remainder was kept in central storage. Between 2,100 and 2,200 of the deployed warheads were kept on ballistic missiles in a state of highest readiness, mostly belonging to Russia or the USA.
SIPRI Director Karim Haggag cautioned that the growing reliance on nuclear weapons as a tool of national power could significantly increase risks. He noted that “the dangers associated with nuclear weapons are increasing due to advances in weapon technology, the breakdown of arms control, heightened geopolitical tensions, and a number of other factors.” Additionally, events such as the conflict between the nuclear-armed nations of India and Pakistan have called the logic of nuclear deterrence into question.
Collectively, Russia and the USA hold about 83 percent of all stored nuclear warheads. Both countries are engaged in major modernization programs expected to increase the size and diversity of their arsenals in the future. Meanwhile, China has been expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other nation and may possess a comparable number of intercontinental ballistic missiles to Russia or the USA by the end of the decade.
