By John Isaacs
The indomitable Hans Kristensen of the Federation of Americans Scientists, along with his colleague Matt Korda, has produced authoritative estimates of the world’s nuclear stockpiles. When in the past, the United States government has tried to shield the number of American weapons behind high walls of classification, Hans and Matt have provided spot-on numbers.
United States nuclear weapons
5,500 – total inventory, including retired warheads awaiting dismantlement
3,700 – stockpile in the custody of the Department of Defense, deployed and reserve
1,800 – weapons deployed on ICBM’s and submarines, at bomber bases and non-strategic bombs in Europe
Russia nuclear weapons
6,257 – total inventory, including retired warheads
4,497 – stockpile of warheads, deployed and reserve
1,600 – weapons deployed on ICBM’s and submarines or at bomber bases
Estimates of other countries nuclear weapons inventories
350 – China
290 – France
195 – United Kingdom
165 – Pakistan
160 – India
90 – Israel
40 – North Korea (warheads that could potentially be made from available fissile materials)
Estimated worldwide total of nuclear weapons
13,100 – total inventory, including retired warheads
9,590 – military stockpiles
Together, the United States and Russia possess 91% of all nuclear weapons.
