According to new data released by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), nine countries worldwide possess an estimated 12,187 nuclear warheads or weapons as of early 2026. Russia and the United States lead the global race in nuclear capabilities.
Russia tops the list with a total of 5,420 nuclear weapons. This includes 1,796 deployed strategic warheads, 2,604 in reserve, and 1,020 currently undergoing the process of retirement.
The United States ranks second with 5,042 warheads. The U.S. arsenal consists of 1,670 deployed strategic warheads, 1,930 in reserve, and 1,342 retired or awaiting dismantlement.
China, a major Asian power, holds the third position with 620 nuclear warheads. Among European nations, France possesses 370 warheads, while the United Kingdom holds 225. In South Asia, the two arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, possess 190 and 170 nuclear weapons, respectively.
Israel, the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, holds 90 warheads. North Korea, at the bottom of the list, is estimated to possess approximately 60 nuclear weapons.
According to experts, as global geopolitical tensions rise, the stockpiling and maintenance of these nuclear weapons have become a matter of deep concern for international security.
Source: Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle
