Nuclear weapons spending surges to record high of $119bn, report says

Nuclear weapons spending surged to a record $119 billion in 2025, an increase of $16.8 billion from the previous year, according to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). This marks the highest level of expenditure on nuclear arsenals since the end of the Cold War. The report, titled "Ticking Time Bomb," highlights that nine nuclear-armed states – the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea – collectively spent this substantial sum. The United States accounted for the largest portion of this spending, allocating approximately $55.7 billion to its nuclear weapons program. China followed with an estimated $31.4 billion, and Russia with $11.1 billion. The ICAN report details that these funds are being directed towards modernizing existing nuclear arsenals, developing new delivery systems, and expanding the overall capacity of these weapons. This escalation in spending occurs despite ongoing international efforts to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, raising concerns among disarmament advocates about a potential new arms race. The report also notes that the increase in spending outpaced the growth in global military expenditures, indicating a specific prioritization of nuclear capabilities by these states. The ICAN urges governments to redirect these funds towards addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change and poverty, rather than investing in weapons of mass destruction.