Nuclear Weapons Spending
The enormous cost of maintaining and modernizing nuclear arsenals.
Global Nuclear Spending: $100+ Billion/Year
The nine nuclear-armed states spend a combined $100+ billion annually on their nuclear weapons programs. This includes warhead maintenance, delivery systems (missiles, submarines, bombers), command and control infrastructure, and modernization programs.
Spending by Country
| Country | Warheads | Annual Spending |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 5,550 | $51B |
| Russia | 6,255 | $10B (est.) |
| China | 500+ | $15B (est.) |
| United Kingdom | 225 | $8B |
| France | 290 | $6B |
| India | 170 | $4B (est.) |
| Pakistan | 170 | $3B (est.) |
| Israel | 90 (est.) | $2B (est.) |
| North Korea | 50 (est.) | $1B (est.) |
US Nuclear Modernization: $1.7 Trillion
The United States is undertaking the most expensive nuclear modernization program in history, estimated at $1.7 trillion over 30 years. This includes new ICBMs (Sentinel program), Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, B-21 Raider bombers, and modernized warheads.
China's Nuclear Expansion
China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal from approximately 350 warheads to a projected 1,000-1,500 by 2035. This includes new silo-based ICBMs, submarine-launched missiles, and hypersonic delivery systems, representing the largest nuclear buildup since the Cold War.
Opportunity Cost
The $100+ billion spent globally on nuclear weapons each year could fund the UN's entire humanitarian aid budget (currently $46B) twice over, or provide clean water access to every person on Earth ($28B annually).