SIPRI – The return of nuclear power politics

Armament has become a top priority for many countries – including nuclear weapons. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), all nine nuclear-weapon states modernized and expanded their arsenals during 2025.

In addition to the new nuclear warheads, additional delivery systems have been introduced, which can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. These include, for example, rockets and cruise missiles.

In their annual report for 2026, peace researchers point to a general trend: more and more countries are once again relying on nuclear weapons for national defense purposes.

Titi Erasto, a researcher in SIPRI's Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme, illustrates this with the examples of Finland and Sweden. Their nuclear weapons policies changed drastically after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and their accession to NATO.

"These states, which were historically known as militarily neutral advocates of nuclear disarmament, are now actively participating in NATO's nuclear policy, for example through participation in exercises that simulate the use of nuclear weapons," Erasto explains to DW.

According to SIPRI research, in 2025 there were almost 12.200 nuclear warheads in the world. Although their number is slightly lower than the previous year, this is not an indicator of disarmament. Currently, more obsolete warheads are being retired than new ones are being introduced. However, “this trend is expected to reverse in the coming years, as the pace of dismantling slows down, while the deployment of new nuclear weapons accelerates,” the researchers say.

Without arms control, there is no risk containment.

While former US President Barack Obama was celebrated in 2009 for his vision of a world without nuclear weapons, developments are now moving in the opposite direction. In February, the last remaining international agreement limiting the number of nuclear warheads – the New START treaty between the US and Russia – expired.

“There are increasing signs that nuclear-weapon states are neglecting or even abandoning their disarmament commitments and instead demonstrating their nuclear power,” emphasizes Hans M. Kristensen, nuclear weapons expert at SIPRI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme and the Federation of American Scientists (FAS). “By relying on nuclear solutions, states are creating new risks and fueling the dynamics of the arms race.”

According to SIPRI, a total of nine countries possess nuclear weapons: in addition to the USA and Russia, these are Great Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel, which has never officially confirmed that it possesses nuclear weapons.

SIPRI data shows that Russia and the US together possess about 83 percent of all operational nuclear warheads.

Among other things, North Korea continues to develop its nuclear capabilities. According to SIPRI estimates, the country may already have about 60 ready-made warheads, and has enough fissile material to produce at least 30 more. During 2025, the Pyongyang regime unveiled and tested new missile systems, including the solid-fueled Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile.

China is building additional nuclear missile silos

China is building up its nuclear forces faster than any other country. According to SIPRI estimates, the country currently has about 620 nuclear warheads, up from about 600 the previous year. At a military parade in September 2025, the Chinese military for the first time displayed a complete nuclear triad – nuclear weapons that can be launched from land, sea and air.

China is deploying missiles that can be equipped with nuclear warheads in three large missile silo fields in the north of the country – according to SIPRI, there are hundreds of silos. At the same time, work is underway on another 30 silos in three mountainous areas in the east of the country.

“Depending on how China shapes its armed forces, by the end of this decade it could potentially have at least as many intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as Russia or the United States,” SIPRI’s annual report states. However, the number of Chinese nuclear warheads is still significantly smaller than those of Russia and the United States. China’s message, however, seems clear: it wants to provide a credible deterrent to other states from a nuclear attack.

In Europe, France offers nuclear protection

In Western Europe, only the United Kingdom and France possess nuclear weapons. France has 290 nuclear warheads that can be launched from nuclear submarines or Rafale fighter jets. The French government is continuously developing its nuclear forces and offering other European countries the opportunity to benefit from this nuclear protective umbrella.

Germany is not allowed to possess its own nuclear weapons. This is stipulated, among other things, in the "Two Plus Four" Agreement on German reunification from 1990. For this reason, Germany relies on the American nuclear umbrella, and it is estimated that around 20 American nuclear bombs are stationed on its territory.

NATO calls this jointly organized strategy of deterrence using American nuclear weapons “nuclear engagement.” However, as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned the US commitment to NATO, the German government recently initiated additional discussions with France about the possibility of closer cooperation in the area of ​​nuclear deterrence.