Global Nuclear Weapons Spending Surges

Global spending on nuclear weapons reached a record high of nearly $119 billion in 2025, a 19% increase from 2024. This surge is driven by the nine nuclear-armed states, including the United States>>>, China>>>, United Kingdom>>>, Russia>>>, France>>>, India>>>, Israel>>>, North Korea>>>, and Pakistan>>>, as they modernize and deploy more of their arsenals. The United States>>> alone spent $69.2 billion, more than all other nuclear states combined, with plans for nearly $1 trillion in nuclear arms spending between 2025 and 2034. China>>> is expanding its arsenal the fastest, while the United Kingdom>>> and Russia>>> also significantly increased their expenditures. Reports from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons>>> and the International Rice Research Institute>>> warn of a new nuclear arms race and rising nuclear risks, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and fears of artificial intelligence's role in nuclear weapons use. Critics, like Susi Snyder>>>, highlight the disconnect between massive defense spending and global humanitarian needs.