Nuclear weapons spending surges to record high of $119bn, report says
Summary
Global spending on nuclear weapons reached a record $119 billion in 2025, with the nine nuclear-armed countries increasing their budgets by nearly $17 billion compared to the previous year. The United States led with the highest spending, followed by China, the United Kingdom, Russia, and France, while all nations continue to plan maintaining their nuclear arsenals for decades.Key Facts
- Total global spending on nuclear weapons in 2025 was $119 billion, up $16.8 billion from 2024.
- The nine nuclear-armed countries combined have over 12,000 nuclear warheads.
- The United States spent about $69.2 billion, the largest amount by far, increasing its budget by $12.6 billion.
- China spent $13.5 billion; the United Kingdom $12.6 billion; Russia $9.5 billion; France $7.7 billion.
- India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea spent between $656 million and $2.8 billion each.
- These countries spent a total of $471 billion over the last five years and plan to keep their arsenals long-term.
- The United Nations’ Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, signed by 99 countries, prohibits nuclear weapons but has no nuclear-armed signatories.
- Recent treaties between the US and Russia to limit nuclear arms have expired with no replacement agreements.
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