Nuclear-Armed States Increase Deployments: Study Finds Global Nuclear Risk Rising

(Central News Agency, Stockholm, 7th, Comprehensive Foreign News) Researchers warned today that nuclear-armed states are taking nuclear weapons out of storage and deploying them onto delivery systems. As weapons of mass destruction play an increasingly important role in global politics, the world faces growing nuclear risks.

According to AFP, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in Sweden stated that nuclear-armed states currently possess an estimated 12,187 nuclear warheads, of which approximately 9,745 are in operational stockpiles.

This figure represents a slight decrease from the previous year, as the dismantlement of older warheads has generally outpaced the deployment of new weapons since the end of the Cold War, leading to a continued decline in the total number of warheads.

Despite this, SIPRI Director Karim Haggag told AFP, "More worrying is that while the number of nuclear weapons is decreasing, nuclear threats and risks are increasing."

SIPRI predicts that the trend of shrinking global nuclear stockpiles may reverse in the coming years. The institute's statement notes this is because "the pace of nuclear warhead dismantlement is slowing down, while the deployment of new nuclear weapons continues to accelerate."

Haggag also listed several worrying signs, including the collapse of international strategic arms control mechanisms and intensified competition among nuclear powers.

Haggag stated another concerning trend is that "nuclear-armed states are taking nuclear weapons out of stockpiles and deploying them onto delivery systems capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Therefore, we are seeing more deployed nuclear weapons."

The United States and Russia together control approximately 83% of the world's nuclear stockpiles, each possessing over 5,000 nuclear warheads. China is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country.

Haggag analyzed, "Intensified geopolitical competition has led China to rely more heavily on nuclear weapons."

SIPRI estimates that China currently possesses 620 nuclear warheads. Depending on its military deployment methods, it could possess a number of intercontinental ballistic missiles comparable to the US and Russia by 2030.

However, the institute noted that even if China's nuclear warhead count increases to 1,000 by then, it would still be only about one-quarter of the US and Russian nuclear stockpiles. (Editor: Shishi) 1150608