U.S. Nuclear Arsenal Spending Surpasses All Other Nuclear States Combined
U.S. spending on rebuilding nuclear arsenal more than all other nuclear states combined including China, Russia
Image: The Economic Times
In 2025, U.S. nuclear weapons expenditure reached $69.2 billion, exceeding total spending by all other nuclear-armed nations. The global spending on nuclear arsenals rose by 19% to $119 billion, with the U.S. leading the increase at 22%. The report highlights ongoing investments in nuclear capabilities across all nine nuclear states.
- 01U.S. nuclear spending rose by 22% in 2025, totaling $69.2 billion.
- 02Combined spending by all nine nuclear-armed states reached $119 billion, a 19% increase from 2024.
- 03China's nuclear expenditure increased by 7% to $13.5 billion, while Britain's spending rose to $12.6 billion.
- 04The U.S. and Russia together hold approximately 83% of the global nuclear stockpile, each with over 5,000 warheads.
- 05ICAN projects U.S. nuclear spending could approach $1 trillion between 2025 and 2034.
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According to a report by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), global spending on nuclear arsenals surged to $119 billion in 2025, marking a 19% increase from the previous year. The U.S. led this rise with a nuclear weapons budget of $69.2 billion, which is more than the combined expenditures of all other nuclear states. This represents a significant 22% increase, amounting to an additional $12.4 billion compared to 2024. Following the U.S. is China, which increased its nuclear budget by 7% to $13.5 billion, while Britain surpassed Russia, spending $12.6 billion, a 17% rise. Russia's expenditure reached $9.5 billion, a 6% increase. The report indicates that all nine nuclear-armed states—U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel—are enhancing their nuclear capabilities. While the total number of nuclear warheads has been declining, the number of operational weapons has increased. ICAN's findings suggest that U.S. nuclear spending could approach $1 trillion between 2025 and 2034, reflecting long-term plans for nuclear arsenal development.
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The increase in U.S. nuclear spending could influence military budgets and priorities domestically and internationally.
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