According to a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China has significantly expanded its nuclear arsenal, growing from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 by January 2024. This development marks a substantial increase and signals ongoing growth in China’s nuclear capabilities.
The SIPRI report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of global nuclear arsenals, revealing that the nine nuclear-armed nations, including the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel, continue to modernize their nuclear forces. Several of these nations, including China, have deployed new nuclear-capable weapon systems over the past year.
India and Pakistan: A Nuclear Stand-off
India now holds a slight edge over Pakistan in terms of nuclear warheads, with 172 stored warheads compared to Pakistan’s 170 as of January this year. Both nations have modestly expanded their arsenals and continue to develop new nuclear delivery systems. While Pakistan remains the primary focus of India’s nuclear deterrent, there is a noticeable shift as India places increasing emphasis on longer-range weapons capable of targeting regions throughout China.
Global Nuclear Modernization
The report highlights that some 2,100 deployed warheads are maintained in a state of high operational alert, primarily by Russia and the US. For the first time, China is believed to have some of its warheads in high operational alert status, indicating a shift in its strategic posture.
Russia and the US: Dominant Nuclear Powers
Despite China’s growing arsenal, Russia and the US continue to dominate global nuclear capabilities, together possessing almost 90% of all nuclear weapons. Russia has notably increased its deployed warheads by 36 since January 2023. While China’s stockpile is growing, it remains significantly smaller than those of Russia and the US.
Implications and Future Projections
SIPRI’s analysis underscores the ongoing modernization of nuclear forces worldwide. The expansion of China’s arsenal and the deployment of new systems by several nations suggest a continuing trend towards advanced nuclear capabilities.
Global military spending also climbed by 7% in 2023 amid various conflicts, reflecting heightened tensions and the prioritization of defense expenditures. The SIPRI report emphasizes the need for diplomatic efforts to manage and mitigate the risks associated with the growing number of nuclear weapons and their modernization.
For more detailed insights and implications, the full SIPRI report is available on their official website.
