Nine nuclear states possess about 16,300 warheads

LAHORE: By 2014, nine states—-the United States, Russia, China, Pakistan, India, United Kingdom, France, Israel and North Korea—-had possessed approximately 16,300 nuclear warheads, of which around 4,000 were operational weapons, reveal the latest findings of the prestigious 49-year old Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which was formed on the initiative of the then Swedish Prime Minister, Tage Erlander, to commemorate Sweden’s 150 years of unbroken peace.
The total number of nuclear warheads on the planet had rested at 17,270 in 2013, when the world military expenditure had totaled $1.75 trillion. Having conducted its first nuclear test in 1945, the United States today possesses 7,300 nuclear warheads, which include 1,920 deployed warheads and 5,380 other nukes. In 2010, United States had 9,600 such weapons, decreasing this number to 8,500 in 2011, reducing it slightly to 8,000 in 2012 and 7,700 in 2013.
In 2013, according to the SIPRI, the United States had spent $618.7 billion or 3.8 per cent of its GDP on its military, which accounted for 37 per cent of total global military spending in 2013.
The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies had estimated that the American military spending in 2013 was $600.4 billion or 3.7 per cent of its GDP.
By 2045, the US military spending is estimated to go up to $1,335 billion, according to a British academic report from the Ministry of Defence. The word “deployed” in this report means warheads placed on missiles or located on bases with operational forces.
Before we go on to see the nuclear capabilities of other countries, it is noteworthy that in 2010, the world had possessed approximately 22,600 nuclear warheads, this number had stood at 20,530 in 2011, 19,000 in 2012, 17,270 in 2013 and 16, 300 in 2014.
Russia, which had tested its nukes in 1949, has 8,000 nuclear warheads, which include 1,600 deployed warheads and 6,400 other nukes.
In 2010, Moscow had 12,000 such weapons, reducing this number to 11,000 in 2011, to 10,000 and 2012, bringing it down further to 8,500 in 2012 and 8,000 in 2013.
In 2013, according to SIPRI, Russia had spent $84.9 billion or 4.1 per cent of its GDP on its military.
The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies had estimated that the Russian military spending in 2013 was $68.2 billion or 3.1 per cent of its GDP.
By 2045, the Russian military spending is estimated to go up to $295 billion, according to a British academic report from the Ministry of Defence.
Having opted to test its nuclear capabilities in 1952, the United Kingdom is in possession of 225 nuclear warheads, which include 160 deployed warheads and 65 other nukes.
Since 2010, it has kept a steady inventory of 225 nuclear weapons, neither increasing the stocks, nor reducing them.
In 2013, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Britain had spent $57.9 billion or 2.3 per cent of its GDP on its military.
The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies had estimated that the British military spending in 2013 was $57 billion or 2.4 per cent of its GDP.
By 2045, the British military spending is estimated to go up to $108 billion, according to a British academic report from the Ministry of Defence.
France, which had conducted its inaugural nuclear tests in 1960, is in possession of 300 nuclear warheads, which include 290 deployed warheads and 10 other nukes.
Since 2010, France has also kept a steady inventory of 300 nuclear weapons, neither increasing the stockpile, nor reducing it.
In 2013, according to the SIPRI, France had spent $62.3 billion or 2.2 per cent of its GDP on its military.
The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies had estimated that the French military spending in 2013 was $52.4 billion or 1.9 per cent of its GDP.
By 2045, the French military spending is estimated to go up to $87 billion, according to a British academic report from the Ministry of Defence.
China became a nuclear power in 1964 and has over 250 warheads.
From 2010 to 2012, China had 240 warheads, increasing the number gradually to 250 in 2013 and has kept it at the same level in 2014 as well.
In 2013, according to the SIPRI, China had spent $171.4 billion or 2 per cent of its GDP on its military.
The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies had estimated that the Chinese military spending in 2013 was $122.2 billion or 1.2 per cent of its GDP.
By 2045, the Chinese military spending is estimated to go up to $1,270 billion, according to a British academic report from the Ministry of Defence. India had entered this club in 1974 and has 90-110 warheads.
In 2010, India had 60 to 80 nuclear weapons, and then increased its stocks slightly to rest between 80 and 100 in 2011 and 2012. In 2013 and 2014, the number of Indian nuclear warheads was in the 90 to 110 region.
In 2013, according to the SIPRI, India had spent $47.4 billion or 2.5 per cent of its GDP on its military.
The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies had estimated that the Indian military spending in 2013 was $36.3 billion or 1.8 per cent of its GDP.
By 2045, the Indian military spending is estimated to go up to $654 billion, according to a British academic report from the Ministry of Defence.
Pakistan had flexed its nuclear muscles on May 28, 1998 and possesses 100-120 warheads in its arsenal.
In 2010, Pakistan had 70 to 90 nuclear weapons, and then increased its stocks slightly to rest between 90 and 110 in 2011 and 2012. In 2013 and 2014, the number of Pakistani nuclear warheads was in the 100 to 120 region.
In 2013, according to the May 20, 2014 statement of the Additional Secretary Ministry of Defence in Islamabad, Pakistan’s defence allocation of $5.7 billion approximately was the lowest in the region despite its location in the red zone in terms of growing threats to its security.
The SIPRI has estimated that Pakistan’s military spending was $5.685 billion or around 3.5 per cent of its GDP.
Israel has 80 nuclear warheads and has possessed the same capability in terms of numbers since 2010.
The SIPRI has estimated that Israel’s military spending was over $15.3 billion or around 5.6 per cent of its GDP.
North Korea has only got six to eight weapons since it admitted having tested its nukes in 2006. The North Korean military spending estimates are quite unknown.
In its most recent report on this subject, this internationally-acknowledged institute has noticed: “Over the past five years there has been a steady decline in the overall number of nuclear warheads in the world. The decrease is due mainly to Russia and the USA-which together still account for more than 93 per cent of all nuclear weapons-further reducing their inventories of strategic nuclear weapons under the terms of the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms.”
The afore-cited Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report adds: “At the same time, all five legally recognised nuclear weapon states-China, France, Russia, the UK and the USA-are either deploying new nuclear weapon delivery systems or have announced programmes to do so. India and Pakistan continue to develop new systems capable of delivering nuclear weapons and are expanding their capacities to produce fissile material for military purposes.
There is an emerging consensus in the expert community that North Korea has produced a small number of nuclear weapons, as distinct from rudimentary nuclear explosive devices.”