Estimated Global Nuclear Weapons Inventories, 2009
by John Isaacs [contact information]
Russia: 13,000**
United States: 9,400***
France: 300
China: 240
Britain: 180
Israel: 80–100
Pakistan: 70–90
India: 60–80
North Korea: Unknown
Total: ~23,360
* Data taken from Norris, Robert S. and Hans M. Kristensen, “Nuclear Notebook: Worldwide deployments of nuclear weapons, 2009.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, November/December 2009.
** Approximately 4,850 of the Russian warheads are operational or active. The status of the other 8,150 warheads is unclear. Some portion may be in reserve with the balance retired and awaiting dismantlement.
*** Approximately 5,200 of the U.S. warheads are in the military stockpile (about 2,700 deployed); 4,200 retired warheads are awaiting dismantlement.
John Isaacs 202-546-0795 ext. 2222 jdi@armscontrolcenter.org
John Isaacs is the Executive Director of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation where his work focuses on national security issues in Congress, Iraq, missile defense, and nuclear weapons. Isaacs has published articles in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Atlanta Journal, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Christian Science Monitor, Nuclear Times, Arms Control Today, American Journal of Public Health, and Technology Review.