The nuclear club today consists of nine states, but the lion’s share of capabilities remains concentrated in the hands of the United States and Russia. The total number of nuclear warheads worldwide at the start of 2026 stands at approximately 12,187 units, of which around 9,745 are ready for use by military forces.
Rather than simply storing aging weapons, most countries are investing enormous resources in modernizing their arsenals. Russia and the United States remain the undisputed leaders in warhead count, but the true “investment strategist” is China, which already possesses around 620 warheads and is showing the fastest production growth rate in the world.
Six of the nine nuclear powers are actively expanding their arsenals. Only the United States is showing a downward trend in total numbers.
Russia: ~5,480 warheads (including those taken off alert)
United States: ~5,042 warheads (the only country with a shrinking arsenal)
China: ~620 warheads (rapid growth)
France: ~290 warheads
United Kingdom: ~225 warheads (upward trend)
India: ~190 warheads (active buildup)
Pakistan: ~170 warheads
Israel: ~90 warheads
North Korea (DPRK): ~60 warheads (growing capability)
Experts note that following the expiration of the New START treaty in February 2026, the world may find itself without any active limitations on strategic nuclear weapons between major powers. Against this backdrop, arsenal modernization is accelerating and the risk of a new arms race is growing.
The world’s nuclear arsenal remains at a very high level, though significantly below its Cold War peak. However, the pace of expansion in Asia — China, India, Pakistan, and North Korea — suggests that the era of gradual nuclear disarmament may be ending.