9 Countries with the Most Nuclear Weapons: Latest Rankings

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Nuclear weapons are able to produce highly destructive explosions due to its four types of energy including an intense light, heat, shock wave, and radiation.

Because of these deadly effects, countries with the most nuclear weapons are constantly under scrutiny for their ownership of the warheads. 

Countries with the Most Nuclear Weapons 

While the exact amount of the nuclear stockpiles remain in secrecy, several countries with the most nuclear weapons such as Russia, North Korea and China are still possessing a concerning number of warheads. Below is the complete list, based on the data from the Federation of American Scientists, Visual Capitalists, and Union of Concerned Scientists. 

1. Russia - 5,580

Russia has the most nuclear weapons in the world, with an updated estimation roughly reaching 5,580 warheads. This number contains strategic, non-strategic and reserve stockpiles, of which 4,380 are operational.

Having been on a massive modernization of nuclear projects since 2008, Russia spent around US$9.6 billion building its nuclear forces under the tenure of Vladimir Putin. 

2. United States - 5,044

The United States has seen a modest depletion towards its nuclear warheads ownerships. FAS reported that from the total number of the country’s stockpiles last year, 1,770 were deployed warheads and 1,938 were reserved for operational forces.

Additionally, 400 warheads of the deployed weapons were on intercontinental ballistic missiles, 970 on submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and 300 were U.S based.  

3. China - 500 

China has been steadily advancing its high-tech capabilities for decades, weaving innovation into everything from everyday conveniences to sophisticated military tools. One striking example of this drive dates back to 1964–1966, when China carried out 45 nuclear tests on its territory.

Fast forward to recent years, and the ambition hasn't slowed, under President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government poured a staggering US$11.7 billion into maintaining its nuclear arsenal in 2022 alone.

4. France - 290 

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, France preserves a total number of 290 nuclear warheads as a defensive strategy, without ruling out the possibility to put them into work under extreme circumstances.

The stockpiles consist of submarines based weapons, with a modest amount of air-launched cruise missiles. 

5. United Kingdom - 225 

The United Kingdom is now attributed to an estimated 225 nuclear weapons, an increase of their previous warheads count.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reported that 120 of them are deemed operationally available, where they can be loaded swiftly. Interestingly, these stockpiles are sea-based and handled by Trident submarine-launched ballistic missiles. 

6. India - 172

India is estimated to have spent around US$2.7 billion maintaining its arsenal of 172 nuclear warheads. Since conducting its first nuclear tests between 1974 and 1998, the country has steadily grown its capabilities.

Today, India’s warheads are deployed through an evolving mix of missile systems and aircraft, reflecting its strategic focus on deterrence and regional power.

7. Pakistan - 170 

Pakistan entered the nuclear arena with two powerful tests in 1998 and has been steadily advancing its arsenal ever since. In 2022, it funneled roughly US$1 billion into maintaining and developing its nuclear capabilities.

Like several other nuclear-armed nations, Pakistan has consistently refrained from signing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) since its introduction in 2018.

8. Israel - 90 

As reported by ICAN, Israel possesses an estimated 90 nuclear warheads, ready to be deployed through a range of routes—submarines, aircraft, and missile systems. This hidden yet formidable arsenal reflects the country's long standing policy of strategic ambiguity. The country is said to have a budget of US$1.2 billion to maintain its nuclear forces. 

9. North Korea - 50 

Under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, North Korea possesses 50 nuclear warheads. It also became the only country to conduct nuclear tests in the 21st century, with six tests carried out between 2006 and 2007. In 2022, North Korea allocated US$589 million to develop its nuclear forces. 

The global nuclear landscape remains a complex and often alarming subject, as these countries with the most nuclear weapons continue to invest billions into the maintenance and expansion of their arsenals. For a similar inspiration, check also the coverage of the world’s nuclear power countries here. 

Editor’s Choice: Pakistan PM Reportedly Calls Nuclear Body Meeting After Launching Offensive on India

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