Statistics from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) show that the nuclear powers are actively upgrading their arsenals – with the number of deployed nuclear warheads increasing in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.
SIPRI statistics show that in January 2023, Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, India, Pakistan and Israel had a total of about 12,512 nuclear weapons, of which 9,576 were stored in warehouses for backup, an increase of 86 from January 2022. At the same time, about 2,000 nuclear warheads – nearly all of Russia’s and the United States’ – have been upgraded to operational readiness.
At the beginning of 2023, the countries with the most deployed nuclear warheads are the United States and Russia, with 1,770 and 1,674, respectively. At the same time, the two countries possess 90 percent of all nuclear weapons. They are followed by France and the United Kingdom, with 280 and 120 warheads, respectively.
In 2022, the size of the nuclear arsenals of Russia and the United States will be “relatively stable.” At the same time, in addition to working nuclear stockpiles, both countries have more than 1,000 retired nuclear warheads that are slowly being dismantled.
The study said that the United Kingdom, which did not increase its nuclear stockpile in 2022, is likely to increase its stockpile of nuclear warheads. This conclusion is based on the UK government’s announcement to increase the cap on the number of nuclear warheads from 225 to 260 in 2021.
At the same time, the source noted that France is continuing to actively develop its nuclear program. The French government is continuing to develop a nuclear submarine equipped with a third-generation ballistic missile and a new air-based cruise missile. At the same time, plans are underway to repair and upgrade existing systems.
India and Pakistan, in all likelihood, will also expand their nuclear arsenals. Both countries are continuing to develop new nuclear delivery systems in 2022. Although Pakistan is the main target of India’s efforts to curb its nuclear development, India is still actively developing long-range strike systems.
The study does not forget to point out that Israel, which does not publicly admit to possessing nuclear weapons, is also upgrading its nuclear Arsenal.