News Excerpt:
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released its annual assessment on armaments, disarmament, and international security, highlighting that the number and variety of nuclear weapons under development have risen as countries further rely on nuclear deterrence.
More About the News: According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Swedish think tank, India has more nuclear weapons than Pakistan. Meanwhile, China's nuclear arsenal has increased significantly, growing from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 by January 2024.
Key Takeaways from the SIPRI Report on Nuclear Arsenals:
- The report highlights ongoing modernization efforts among nine nuclear-armed nations: the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel. In 2023, several of these countries deployed new nuclear-capable weapon systems.
- India's nuclear warheads increased to 172 in January 2023, slightly more than Pakistan's 170.
- Both nations are developing new nuclear delivery systems, with India focusing on longer-range weapons capable of covering China.
- Approximately 2,100 warheads are maintained on high operational alert, predominantly by Russia and the US. Notably.
- China is believed to have some warheads in a high alert state for the first time.
- Russia and the US hold nearly 90% of the world's nuclear weapons, with Russia adding around 36 warheads to its operational forces in 2023.
- Despite China's arsenal growth, it remains significantly smaller than those of Russia and the US.
About SIPRI and the yearbook:
- The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), established in 1966, stands at the forefront of research in these critical areas.
- SIPRI Yearbook 2024, offers a comprehensive overview of global military expenditure, international arms transfers, arms production, nuclear forces, armed conflicts, and multilateral peace operations.
- At its core, SIPRI Yearbook 2024 merges original data with cutting-edge analysis, derived from open sources, to provide valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, media, and the general public.
- It not only captures the current state of global security dynamics but also offers informed recommendations aimed at fostering peace and stability worldwide.
- SIPRI Yearbook 2024 includes in-depth assessments of world military spending trends, revealing insights into the international trade in arms, and analyses of nuclear arsenals and their implications for global security.
- SIPRI's commitment to transparency and rigorous research ensures that its findings are credible and influential in shaping global discourse on security challenges.
- By disseminating factual data and expert analysis, SIPRI Yearbook 2024 equips stakeholders with the necessary tools to navigate and address contemporary security threats effectively.
