World powers increase spending on nuclear weapons amid global conflicts

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

International spending on nuclear weapons increased 13% in 2023 to $91.4 billion, according to calculations by the pressure group International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) released in June.

The $10.7 billion increase is largely attributed to an increase in the U.S. defense budget.

Although the United States has contributed the most to the increase in the nuclear weapons budget, the nine nuclear-armed countries spend more.

China's nuclear weapons spending in 2023, still lagging behind that of the United States, reached $11.9 billion and Russia's, $8.3 billion. Both countries have experienced increased tensions with the United States, over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's alleged espionage attempts.

The United Kingdom, an ally of the United States, also purchased $8.1 billion worth of nuclear weapons in 2023. Israel purchased only $1.1 billion worth of nuclear weapons in 2023, while only Pakistan ($1 billion) and North Korea ($0.9 billion) bought less.

The clock with the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is placed before the announcement of the location of the minute hand on its doomsday clock, indicating what global developments mean for the perceived likelihood of nuclear catastrophe, at the National Press Club in Washington, USA. January 24 (credit: REUTERS)

To what extent have nuclear weapons purchases actually increased in recent years?

ICAN reported that over the past 5 years, spending on nuclear weapons has increased by $23.2 billion (34%).

Beyond trend, the US increased spending by 45% and the UK by 43%.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute claimed that the number of active nuclear warheads increased from 410 to 500, mainly due to China expanding its arsenal from 410 to 500.

90% of all nuclear warheads remain in the possession of the United States and Russia, with Russia holding 4,380 and the United States 3,708.

To what extent have nuclear weapons purchases actually increased in recent years?

Lina Portman

Related Articles

Record breaker Diede de Groot and teenager Tokito Oda win wheelchair titles at Roland Garros

Banning fake news traffickers online

Former Riverside County Sheriff's Deputies Guilty on Two Counts in Towing Kickback Case

The Oak Ridge Fire, burning near Beulah, is 787 acres and 0% contained