NATO is conducting the largest air maneuver exercise in its history

The nuclear arsenals of many countries, especially China, have increased in the past year, while other nuclear powers have continued to modernize their equipment, against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, researchers warned on Monday, June 12.

“We are approaching, or have already reached, the end of the long-term decline in the number of nuclear weapons around the world.”Agence France-Presse Dan Smith, Director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in Stockholm, regrets this.

The total number of nuclear warheads of the nine nuclear powers: the UK, China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, the US and Russia has fallen from 12,710 at the start of 2022 to 12,512 at the start of 2023. SIPRI. However, there are 9,576 people “Military stocks for possible use”This is 86 more than a year ago.

Most of the increase came from China, which increased its nuclear arsenal from 350 to 410. According to Smith, it invested heavily in its military as its economy and influence grew.

India, Pakistan and North Korea also increased their inventories, as did Russia to a lesser extent (from 4,477 to 4,489), while other nuclear powers maintained their levels.

For Dan Smith, this rise in stakes cannot be explained by the war in Ukraine, which has long required the development of nuclear weapons by countries that have made this choice and are not directly affected by the conflict.