According to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), there has been an increase in the number of nuclear warheads ready for use on missiles or aircraft, which is causing great concern. Despite a decline in the overall number of nuclear weapons worldwide due to decommissioning efforts, there has been a simultaneous rise in the number of warheads kept ready for potential use.
In its annual report, published on Monday, SIPRI highlighted this worrying trend with data from January 2024 compared to January 2023. The report revealed that of the estimated 12,121 nuclear warheads globally, around 9,585 were in military stockpiles for potential use, with 3,904 of them mounted on missiles and aircraft – an increase from the previous year. The remaining warheads were stored in central facilities. SIPRI noted that the development of nuclear weapons has also increased as states rely more on nuclear deterrence.
The experts at SIPRI predict that this trend will continue and escalate in the years to come, emphasizing the urgent need for concern. Currently, nine countries possess nuclear weapons, with the USA and Russia leading the pack, holding around 90 percent of all nuclear warheads. Following them are Great Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel.
In a concerning development, China has reportedly started keeping some warheads on high alert for the first time. The transparency regarding nuclear forces of major countries has decreased since Russia’s aggression in Ukraine began in February 2022. Wilfred Wan from Sipri Weapons of Mass Destruction Program expressed his concerns about nuclear weapons playing a significant role in international relations once again like during Cold War era.
It is worth noting that despite these trends and concerns regarding global security and peacekeeping efforts should continue to be vigilant and work towards disarmament efforts to prevent further escalation or use of these weapons.
Overall it’s important that nations prioritize dialogue and diplomacy over military actions while ensuring their own security interests are met as this could lead to catastrophic consequences if not handled carefully.
