According to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the number of nuclear warheads ready for use on missiles or aircraft is increasing, which is a cause for concern. While there has been a decline in the overall number of nuclear weapons worldwide due to decommissioning efforts, more warheads are being kept in a state of readiness for potential use.
SIPRI’s annual report, released on Monday, showed that the number of nuclear weapons under development has also risen as states rely more on nuclear deterrence. Of the estimated 12,121 total global warheads in January 2024, around 9,585 were in military stockpiles for potential use, with 3,904 of these mounted on missiles and aircraft. This marks an increase from the previous year, with experts warning that this trend is likely to continue and intensify in the future.
Nine countries possess nuclear weapons, with the USA and Russia leading the pack with around 90 percent of all warheads. Great Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel also have nuclear capabilities. China has reportedly placed some warheads on high alert for the first time. However, transparency regarding the nuclear forces of the top two countries has decreased since Russia’s actions in Ukraine in 2022.
The Sipri experts expressed concern over the role of nuclear weapons in current international relations, stating that nuclear weapons have not played such a prominent role since the Cold War. They emphasized the need for continued efforts towards disarmament and non-proliferation to mitigate the risks associated with nuclear weapons.