Reference:

• The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its annual States of World Nuclear Forces Report (SIPRI Yearbook 2025) on 16 June 2025.

Key Points:

• This report highlights the global status of nuclear weapons and expresses concerns about arms control.

Global Nuclear Weapons Status (January 2025):

• Total nuclear weapons: Approximately 12,241
• Military stockpile (available for immediate use): Approximately 9,614
• Deployed (Operational) warheads: Approximately 3,912
• Warheads on high operational alert: Around 2,100 (almost all held by Russia and the USA)
• Nuclear-armed countries: 9 (USA, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel)

Major Trends:

• Modernization of arsenals: All nine nuclear-armed countries are modernizing and expanding their nuclear arsenals.
• Decline in total global stockpile: The USA and Russia have continued to retire older warheads, leading to a reduction in total numbers, but this process has slowed down.
• Increase in military stockpiles: The number of active military stockpiles is increasing due to the deployment of new warheads.
• China’s rapid expansion: China now has at least 600 warheads and is expanding the fastest—adding about 100 new warheads each year since 2023. China has also built or nearly completed 350 new ICBM silos.
• Other countries: India, Pakistan, North Korea, and the UK are also increasing their stockpiles. France and Israel's numbers remain stable.

Country-wise Estimated Nuclear Warheads (January 2025):

Global Risks:

• The report states that growing capabilities in cyberspace, outer space, and maritime domains have complicated the nuclear arms race. Discussions on acquiring nuclear weapons have resurfaced in Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia—indicating possible expansion of the nuclear powers' club.

India’s Position:

• India’s nuclear policy is based on “No First Use” and minimum deterrence, but its new missiles demonstrate long-range capabilities, possibly aimed at China. Both India and Pakistan are outside any formal nuclear weapons control framework.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI):

• Established: 1966 by the Swedish Parliament
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
• Objective: To conduct research on conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament, and to promote transparency and accountability in international arms trade and military expenditure.