On Monday, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), published in its Yearbook; the report reveals that the number of “operationally deployable weapons” have surged in 2021. However, it notes that the global stockpile of nuclear weapons had declined.
It states that the number of deployable weapons mounted on missiles or present on active bases rose from 3,720 in 2020 to 3,825 in 2021. Meanwhile, the number of nuclear weapons possessed by the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea dropped by 320 since 2020. This decrease has been attributed to Russia and the US’ decision to dismantle retired warheads. However, excluding these retired warheads, the number of nuclear warheads actually rose from 9,380 to 9,620 from 2020 to 2021.
According to the DW, the researchers expressed their concern about the trend of a global nuclear arsenal. SIPRI researcher Hans M. Kristensen said, “The overall number of warheads in global military stockpiles now appears to be increasing, a worrisome sign that the declining trend that has characterised global nuclear arsenals since the end of the Cold War has stalled.” He added, however, that the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) extension came as a sign of relief, despite the unlikelihood of additional nuclear arms controls between the US and Russia. Together, they own 90% of the world’s nuclear warheads.
The report stated that the US and Russia continue to retain their position as the world’s largest possessors of a nuclear arsenal. The UK plans on expanding its nuclear arsenal in the future. Also, despite sanctions imposed by the United Nations and the US, North Korea continues to develop and expand its nuclear warhead capacity. Additionally, the report also expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which allowed regulation of Iran’s nuclear program but was abandoned under US President Donald Trump.
The report also highlighted China, India, and Pakistan’s rapidly modernising and expanding nuclear arsenals. It said, “China is in the middle of a significant modernisation and expansion of its nuclear arsenal, and India and Pakistan also appear to be increasing the size of their nuclear weapon inventories.” On the issue of transparency, the Yearbook reported that while China has been publicising its nuclear forces more frequently, it continues to provide highly restricted information about its “force numbers or future development plans.” Meanwhile, India and Pakistan, too, have made public declarations about missile tests while continuing to remain silent on the “status or size of their arsenals.”
In light of the persistent conflict between India and Pakistan and India and China, the expansion of their nuclear arsenal and the lack of transparency comes as a cause for concern for the peace and stability of the South Asian region as a whole.
Swedish Think Tank SIPRI Says China, India, Pakistan Expanding Nuclear Arsenal
According to a report by the SIPRI, China, India, and Pakistan have been expanding their nuclear arsenal, with Russia and the US possessing 90% of the world’s nuclear warheads.
June 16, 2021
SOURCE: FREE PRESS JOURNAL