Global Nuclear Weapons Spending Hits Record High

Global spending on nuclear weapons reached a record $119 billion in 2025, marking a 19% increase from the previous year and signaling the potential start of a new nuclear arms race, according to a report released Tuesday.

The study by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) found that the world's nine nuclear-armed states, the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, India, Israel, Pakistan, and North Korea, spent an additional $17 billion on their nuclear arsenals compared with 2024.

The report warned that rising geopolitical tensions are accelerating nuclear competition, a trend expected to continue for decades.

The United States remained the largest spender, allocating $69.2 billion to its nuclear arsenal, followed by China with $13.5 billion, the United Kingdom with $12.6 billion, and Russia with $9.5 billion.

Separately, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute warned that nuclear-armed states are increasingly deploying warheads and modernizing delivery systems, while global nuclear risks continue to rise despite a gradual decline in total stockpiles.

According to SIPRI, the world currently possesses an estimated 12,187 nuclear warheads, with the United States and Russia accounting for roughly 83% of the global inventory. China is expanding its arsenal faster than any other nuclear power, with an estimated 620 warheads.