This chart illustrates the estimated number of nuclear warheads held by each country. Russia leads with 5,459 warheads, followed closely by the United States with 5,177. Other nuclear powers such as China, France, and the United Kingdom maintain significant arsenals, while regional actors like India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea also remain key players.
Nuclear-Armed States in 2025
This chart illustrates the estimated number of nuclear warheads held by each country.
A nuclear weapon is a powerful explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. It is considered a strategic deterrent and a symbol of military and geopolitical influence.
As of 2025, the global nuclear landscape continues to be shaped by a handful of nations that possess the vast majority of the world's nuclear warheads. Russia holds the largest arsenal with 5,459 warheads, followed by the United States with 5,177. These two countries alone account for more than 90% of all nuclear weapons worldwide and rely on these arsenals as central elements of their national security and strategic deterrence.
China, with an estimated 600 nuclear warheads, ranks third and has been rapidly modernizing and expanding its nuclear forces. This acceleration has drawn international attention and concern, especially in the context of rising U.S.-China tensions. France (290 warheads) and the United Kingdom (225 warheads) continue to serve as the primary nuclear deterrents within NATO, maintaining their long-standing nuclear capabilities.
In Asia, India (180 warheads) and Pakistan (170 warheads) have maintained near-parity in their nuclear stockpiles. Their decades-long arms competition is rooted in regional rivalry, territorial disputes, and strategic balance. Israel, which maintains a policy of deliberate ambiguity, is believed to possess around 90 warheads, playing a critical deterrent role in the Middle East.
North Korea, though possessing a comparatively small arsenal of around 50 warheads, continues to pose a disproportionate threat due to its aggressive testing behavior and opaque command structure. Its nuclear capability remains central to its security doctrine and is a major factor in regional instability, particularly on the Korean Peninsula.
The number of nuclear warheads a country possesses is more than just a measure of military power—it also reflects broader strategic doctrines, diplomatic positioning, and regional security dynamics. As strategic rivalries evolve and arms control agreements face increasing strain, the role of nuclear weapons in global security continues to expand. The enduring dominance of the U.S. and Russia is being challenged by China's expansion, while regional powers increasingly assert their own nuclear presence.
| Rank | Name | Indicator |
|---|---|---|
1 |  Russia | 5,459 |
2 |  United States | 5,177 |
3 |  China | 600 |
4 |  France | 290 |
5 |  United Kingdom | 225 |
6 |  India | 180 |
7 |  Pakistan | 170 |
8 |  Israel | 90 |
9 |  North Korea | 50 |