China's ICBM Expansion Drives Global Nuclear Stockpile Growth
The rapid expansion of China's nuclear arsenal, combined with the growth of nuclear stockpiles in other countries, marks a significant shift in the global nuclear landscape, with far-reaching implications for international security and stability. The report's authors emphasize the need for urgent action to address the risks posed by the growing nuclear arsenals and to revive efforts towards nuclear disarmament.
The world is witnessing a significant increase in global nuclear stockpiles for the first time in decades, with China leading the expansion, its nuclear arsenal growing by 20% in one year to an estimated 600 warheads. This rapid growth is expected to continue, with China's stockpile potentially rivaling those of the US and Russia by 2030. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reports that all nine nuclear-armed states are upgrading existing weapons and adding new versions to their stockpiles, raising concerns about the risk of nuclear conflict.
China's nuclear expansion is the fastest globally, surpassing that of Russia and the US, with the country adding around 100 warheads per year since 2023. The report estimates that China's nuclear stockpile will reach 1,500 warheads by 2035, nearing the combined total of Russia and the US. This growth is accompanied by the deployment of 24 warheads on missiles or in operational bases and the construction of hundreds of facilities for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), sparking concerns from Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory.
The report highlights the end of the era of nuclear disarmament, with the pace of nuclear deployment accelerating. India, Pakistan, and Israel are also expanding or modernizing their nuclear capabilities, contributing to the growing trend of nuclear arsenals and sharpened nuclear rhetoric. The SIPRI report warns that this trend poses significant risks to global security and stability, as the world witnesses a new era of nuclear expansion.
As the global nuclear landscape continues to shift, concerns about the risk of nuclear conflict are growing. The expansion of nuclear arsenals and the deployment of new nuclear capabilities are raising tensions between nations, and the world is witnessing a new era of nuclear competition. The report's findings serve as a warning, highlighting the need for renewed efforts towards nuclear disarmament and diplomacy to reduce the risks associated with the growing nuclear stockpiles.