What's happened
Global spending on nuclear weapons has risen to a record $119bn for 2025, with the US accounting for the largest share. ICAN warns that this surge comes as disarmament commitments waver. SIPRI notes rising deployment and modernization across major powers.
What's behind the headline?
What this means now
- The US, China, UK, Russia, France and others are increasing or maintaining high levels of spending on nuclear arsenals.
- SIPRI warns that a reversal of Cold War-era stockpile reductions is underway as new weapons and delivery systems are deployed.
- ICAN highlights a misalignment between spending on weapons and investment in shared global challenges like climate adaptation.
What could come next
- A acceleration of modernization programs could raise the risk of miscalculation and escalation in crises.
- Diplomatic efforts may be strained as arms races intensify, potentially impacting global security architecture.
Context
- The nine nuclear powers possess over 12,000 warheads, with most concentrated in the US and Russia.
How we got here
ICAN reports a global rise in nuclear-armed states' spending in 2025, with the US leading and calls for renewed focus on climate and diplomacy. SIPRI's analysis shows a shift from dismantling stockpiles to deploying and modernizing arsenals, signaling potential reversals of Cold War-era reductions.
Our analysis
Al Jazeera: ICAN report on 2025 nuclear spending; Reuters: ICAN tracking and 2024-25 spend; SIPRI: stockpile and deployment trends; France 24: SIPRI data on global stockpiles.
Go deeper
- Should governments reassess defense budgets in light of climate needs?
- What steps can civilians take to influence disarmament efforts?
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