In 2025, global expenditure on nuclear weapons reached a record $119 billion, marking a significant increase of $16.8 billion from the previous year. This surge underscores the escalating investments by nuclear-armed nations in their arsenals.
**United States Leads in Nuclear Spending**
The United States led this spending surge, allocating an estimated $69.2 billion to its nuclear weapons program, an increase of $12.6 billion from the prior year. This amount surpasses the combined expenditures of all other nuclear-armed countries.
**Other Major Spenders**
Following the U.S., China was the second-largest spender, dedicating approximately $13.5 billion to its nuclear arsenal. The United Kingdom and Russia each spent around $12.6 billion and $9.5 billion, respectively. France allocated $7.7 billion, while India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea’s expenditures ranged from $656 million to $2.8 billion.
**Total Expenditure Over Five Years**
Over the past five years, nuclear-armed states collectively spent $471 billion on their nuclear arsenals. All these nations plan to maintain their nuclear capabilities for decades to come.
**ICAN’s Perspective**
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) criticized this substantial spending, highlighting it as a period when countries are reducing investments in global public goods. ICAN emphasized that such expenditures reflect a commitment to developing tools capable of mass destruction rather than promoting global welfare.
**Global Military Spending Context**
This increase in nuclear weapons spending is part of a broader trend in global military expenditure. In 2025, worldwide military spending rose to $2.88 trillion, a 2.9% increase from the previous year. The United States accounted for a significant portion of this spending, with $954 billion, more than the next six countries combined.
**Implications for International Security**
The rising investments in nuclear arsenals coincide with concerns about the future of arms control agreements. The expiration of the New START treaty in February 2026, which had previously limited the number of nuclear warheads between the U.S. and Russia, has raised fears of a new arms race. Experts warn that without new agreements, the risk of nuclear proliferation and potential conflict increases.
**Conclusion**
The record-high spending on nuclear weapons in 2025 reflects a global trend of increasing military investments, particularly in nuclear capabilities. This development raises significant concerns about international security and the future of arms control agreements. The international community faces critical decisions regarding the balance between national defense and global stability.