Modern Nuclear Arsenals: By the Numbers (2026 Update)

As of early 2026, nine states are believed to possess nuclear weapons: the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel (which has never officially confirmed). Their combined warhead inventory is approximately 12,500 — down from a Cold War peak of around 70,000 in 1986, but climbing again as China, Russia, and North Korea modernize and expand. Estimates draw on SIPRI, FAS, and Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

The big two: the United States and Russia

The United States and Russia together hold roughly 89% of the world's nuclear weapons. Russia's arsenal is estimated at about 5,580 warheads (1,710 deployed strategic, 1,070 deployed non-strategic, plus reserves and retired-but-intact). The United States has roughly 5,044 warheads (1,670 deployed strategic, 100 deployed non-strategic, plus reserves).

Both arsenals follow the classical "triad" structure: land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and strategic bombers. The United States operates 400 Minuteman III ICBMs, 14 Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines (each carrying up to 20 Trident II SLBMs), and a fleet of B-2A and B-52H strategic bombers. Russia operates a similar triad with the Yars and Sarmat ICBMs, Borei-class submarines, and Tu-160 and Tu-95 bombers.

China's buildup

China has historically maintained a "minimum deterrence" posture with a relatively small arsenal. That changed in the early 2020s. Satellite imagery first revealed three new ICBM silo fields under construction in 2021, eventually adding capacity for several hundred new missiles. Western intelligence estimates now place China's arsenal at roughly 600 warheads in 2026 and project it to exceed 1,000 by 2030.

China is also deploying its first credible second-strike submarine force (Type 094 SSBNs carrying JL-2 and JL-3 SLBMs) and a strategic bomber (the H-6N). The expansion appears motivated by perceived US missile-defense capabilities and improvements in conventional precision strike that, in Beijing's view, made China's previous minimum deterrent insufficient.

United Kingdom and France

Britain and France maintain modest, sea-based-only arsenals. The UK operates four Vanguard-class ballistic-missile submarines (replacement Dreadnought-class entering service in the 2030s) carrying Trident II SLBMs with British-designed warheads. The UK arsenal is approximately 225 warheads, of which 120 are deployed.

France operates four Triomphant-class submarines plus a small force of land-based bomber-delivered ASMP-A missiles. The French arsenal is approximately 290 warheads. Both the UK and France are now committed to gradual increases in stockpile caps, ending the post-Cold-War drawdown.

India and Pakistan

India and Pakistan both conducted public nuclear tests in 1998 and have since built modest arsenals. India is estimated to have 172 warheads delivered by short and medium-range missiles, the Agni ICBM family, and the INS Arihant ballistic-missile submarine (with the K-15 SLBM). India has historically declared a "no first use" doctrine.

Pakistan is estimated to have 170 warheads, primarily delivered by the Shaheen and Ghauri ballistic-missile families and the Babur cruise missile. Pakistan has an explicit policy of using tactical nuclear weapons in response to a conventional Indian invasion — a posture often described as "full-spectrum deterrence."

North Korea

North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006 and has now demonstrated thermonuclear capability (claimed in 2017) and intercontinental delivery (Hwasong-15 and Hwasong-17 ICBMs, tested in 2017 and 2022 respectively). The arsenal is estimated at about 50 warheads in 2026, growing.

North Korea also maintains a substantial inventory of short and medium-range ballistic missiles. The Hwasong-14 was the first nuclear-capable ICBM credibly tested by the country; the simulator includes it for educational comparison purposes.

Israel: the unconfirmed nuclear power

Israel has never publicly confirmed possession of nuclear weapons but is universally assessed to have an arsenal estimated at about 90 warheads. Delivery is believed to include Jericho ballistic missiles (Jericho II and III) and possibly Dolphin-class submarine-launched cruise missiles. Israel maintains a doctrine of strategic ambiguity, neither admitting nor denying its arsenal — a policy known as "amimut."

Total inventory and trends

Adding the official estimates, the global nuclear stockpile is approximately 12,500 warheads in 2026, of which about 9,500 are in active military arsenals. Approximately 3,800 are deployed on missiles or aircraft ready to launch on short notice; the remainder are stored as reserves.

After three decades of post-Cold-War decline, total numbers stabilized in the late 2010s and have begun rising slightly. The drivers are Chinese expansion, Russian and Pakistani modernization, and a likely North Korean buildup. Combined with the expiration of the New START Treaty in February 2026 and Russia's suspension of participation in 2023, the era of US-Russia bilateral arms control is effectively over.

See the full Weapons Database for individual warhead profiles. The "compare" pages let you put any two of these warheads head-to-head; the scenarios pages let you see what each one would do to a major city.