The number of nuclear weapons in the world has decreased significantly since the Cold War. In the year 1986, there were about 70,300 nuclear weapons worldwide. Whose number has decreased to 38 thousand in the year 2000 and then to 12,241 in 2025. In the last 25 years, the number of nuclear weapons has decreased globally. However, this reduction is happening at a slow pace and some countries are increasing their nuclear stockpile again.
In the last 25 years, more emphasis was given on destroying old weapons instead of making new nuclear weapons. America and Russia destroyed the most weapons, while some countries started their own nuclear programs.
Let us understand the mathematics of nuclear weapons in the last 25 years…
Russia currently has the largest number of nuclear weapons (about 6,257). In the year 2000, Russia had about 21 thousand nuclear weapons, which has now reduced to 6,257. This is a big decline, but Russia still remains the world's largest nuclear power country. At present, Russia has about 1,912 tactical nuclear warheads, which are designed for short-range warfare.
America has 5,550 nuclear weapons. In the year 2000, this country had about 10,577 nuclear weapons. America was at its peak in 1967, when it had 31,255 nuclear warheads. America has continuously reduced the number of its nuclear weapons and destroyed 12,088 nuclear weapons between 1994 and 2023.
America's nuclear weapons are not only on American soil. About 100 B-61 nuclear bombs of America are deployed in 5 countries of Europe (Italy, Germany, Türkiye, Belgium and Netherlands).
China has about 600 nuclear weapons. It is adding about 100 new warheads every year from 2023. China's nuclear stockpile is growing faster than any other country. In the year 2000, China had only about 400 nuclear weapons. It has modernized its nuclear program.
France has about 300 nuclear weapons, mostly deployed on submarines and aircraft. Britain has 225 nuclear weapons, mainly on submarines. Pakistan developed nuclear weapons in the late 1990s. Pakistan has 170 nuclear weapons. Israel is believed to have 90 nuclear weapons, although this is not an official figure.
India presented its nuclear capability to the world by conducting the first nuclear test (Smiling Buddha) in 1974 and several tests under Pokhran-II in 1998. At present India has about 180 nuclear weapons. India's nuclear policy is based on no first use (no first attack). That means India will use nuclear weapons only if it is attacked first.
India's nuclear triad is almost complete. That means the ability to launch nuclear attacks from land, air and sea. This includes ground-based missiles (Agni series), aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons and submarine-launched missiles (INS Arihant).
North Korea now has about 50 nuclear weapons. North Korea accelerated its nuclear program after withdrawing from the NPT treaty in 2003. It conducted its first nuclear test in 2006 and has continuously increased its nuclear stockpile since then.
NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) is an international treaty designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. It was adopted in 1968 and came into force in 1970. Under NPT, only 5 countries – America, Russia, China, France and Britain – have been considered as nuclear weapon possessing countries. India, Pakistan, Israel did not sign this treaty. Whereas North Korea came out of it in 2003.
China is the fastest country producing nuclear weapons. Its number increased from 400 in 2000 to 600 in 2025. That means 200 new weapons. After this comes India and Pakistan. Both countries have continuously increased their nuclear stockpiles. India increased its arms from 60 to 180 and Pakistan increased its arms from 50 to 170 in 25 years. North Korea made 50 nuclear weapons.
America and Russia also created new weapons, but they destroyed old weapons at a higher rate. America destroyed 405 nuclear weapons between 2020 and 2023. America and Russia upgraded their existing nuclear weapons. That means their firepower and technology has become much more modern and deadly.
At the beginning of 2025, there were approximately 12,241 nuclear weapons worldwide. Of these, about 9,614 are in military reserves and 3,912 are deployed. About 2,100 American, Russian, British and French warheads are on high alert, which can be fired at short notice.
The rate of reduction of nuclear weapons has slowed down. Which is a matter of great concern for the future. The shortage is happening only because America and Russia are destroying retired weapons. But in reality the number of nuclear weapons has started increasing again.
If even a small part of these is used in future, 10 to 20 crore people may die immediately. The last time in the world nuclear weapons were used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in 1945. During this period, 70 to 80 thousand people died instantly in Hiroshima and 40 thousand people in Nagasaki. Later thousands of people died from radiation related diseases.
