Global nuclear stockpile is rising, says report. Here are the countries that possess them
Amid the ongoing missile attacks between Israel and Iran, we get the facts on the number of nuclear warheads in the world.
Amid the ongoing missile attacks between Israel and Iran, we get the facts on the number of nuclear warheads in the world.
Amid the ongoing missile attacks between Israel and Iran, we get the facts on the number of nuclear warheads in the world.
The share of nuclear weapons in the world has continued to grow since a number of countries continued intensive nuclear modernization programs in 2024, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
The , an independent international institute dedicated to researching conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament, released its key findings for 2025.
Amid the ongoing missile attacks between Israel and Iran, the Hearst Television Data Team examined the report and has the facts on the number of nuclear warheads in the world.
An estimated 12,241 nuclear warheads were recorded in January 2025 from nine countries, namely the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel.
A third of those warheads were deployed with missiles and aircraft. Nearly half of these warheads are kept in reserve, while the rest have been retired from the military stockpile but have not yet been dismantled.
Nearly all of these warheads belonged to Russia or the U.S., but the SIPRI report says China may now keep some warheads on missiles during peacetime.
The report does not mention Iran being in possession of any nuclear warheads, but the report does warn about the risks of a new nuclear arms race that may involve other technologies.
The report cites the following technologies as examples: fields of artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, space assets, missile defense and quantum, which the report says are radically redefining nuclear capabilities, deterrence and defense.
"The signs are that a new arms race is gearing up that carries much more risk and uncertainty than the last one," said SIPRI Director Dan Smith.