Global spending on nuclear weapons rises, with the US the biggest spender in 2025
ICAN says nuclear-armed states spent $119 billion in 2025, up 19% from 2024, with the United States alone spending $69.2 billion.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
The latest ICAN report says nuclear weapons spending hit a record $119 billion in 2025, driven by sharp increases in the US, China and Britain. The US spent more than all other nuclear states combined.
It is like nine very rich clubs all paying more and more to keep bigger and stronger locks on their doors. The report says the United States spent the most on nuclear weapons in 2025, and the total bill reached a record high.
Analysis
What the report says
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons says the nine nuclear-armed states spent a combined $119 billion on nuclear weapons in 2025. That is a 19% increase from 2024 and the highest level recorded since ICAN began tracking annual nuclear spending in 2020.
The United States was by far the largest spender, putting in $69.2 billion, which was more than all the other nuclear-armed countries combined. ICAN says that reflects both higher overall military spending and continued investment in the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
China ranked second at $13.5 billion, up 7%. Britain moved ahead of Russia into third place, spending $12.6 billion after a 17% increase. Russia spent $9.5 billion, up 6%.
ICAN’s tally also covers France, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel, all of which are counted among the world’s nuclear-armed states. The group won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 and says its goal is the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.
The story matters because it shows how deeply embedded nuclear modernization has become. Rather than shrinking after the Cold War, the budgets for these weapons are still moving up, and the U.S. remains the clear driver of the global total. For readers tracking Middle East security, Israel’s inclusion in the report is another reminder that the region sits inside the broader nuclear balance ICAN is trying to change.
Key points
- ICAN says nuclear-armed states spent a record $119 billion on nuclear weapons in 2025.
- The total was up 19% from 2024, the biggest annual level since tracking began in 2020.
- The United States spent $69.2 billion, more than all other nuclear states combined.
- China, Britain and Russia also increased spending, with Britain overtaking Russia in the ranking.
- ICAN says its goal is the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.
If the report increases public and political pressure, it could strengthen arguments for slowing nuclear buildup and supporting disarmament efforts. Clear spending comparisons may also help policymakers see how large the nuclear bill has become.
If spending keeps rising, it could deepen the global nuclear arms race and make future cuts harder. The large U.S. lead may also encourage other nuclear powers to keep modernizing their own arsenals.
