Global Nuclear Arsenal Modernization on the Rise, Experts Warn of Dangerous Period

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has reported that the nine nuclear-armed states continue to modernize their arsenals, with several deploying new nuclear-armed or nuclear-capable weapon systems in 2022. SIPRI estimated that of the total global inventory of 12,512 warheads in January 2023, some 9,576 were in military stockpiles for potential use, which was 86 more than in January 2022. The institute listed the nuclear-armed states as the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel. SIPRI also noted that China's nuclear arsenal had increased from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 in January 2023 and is expected to keep growing.