Global Expansion of Nuclear Arsenal: SIPRI Report

Global Expansion of Nuclear Arsenal: SIPRI Report

Part of: GS Prelims and GS -II – International Relations

In news

• According to a recent report published in the SIPRI Yearbook 2021, the number of nuclear warheads which are ready and deployed have increased globally.

Key highlights of the report 

• The overall number of warheads in global military stockpiles now appears to be increasing. 
• China is in the middle of a significant modernisation and expansion of its nuclear weapon inventory. 
• India and Pakistan also appear to be expanding their nuclear arsenals. 
  • According to the year book, India possessed an estimated 156 nuclear warheads at the start of 2021 compared to 150 at the start of last year
• The nine nuclear armed states – the U.S., Russia, the U.K., France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea. 
  • These countries together possessed an estimated 13,080 nuclear weapons at the start of 2021.
  • Russia and the U.S. together possessed over 90% of global nuclear weapons 
• The five largest arms importers were: Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and China.
  • They together accounted for 36% of total arms imports.