Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an independent international institute researching conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. Based in Stockholm, SIPRI is regularly ranked among the most respected think tanks worldwide.
SIPRI publishes a yearbook recognised as an authoritative source for policymakers, researchers, and the public. The 56th edition of the SIPRI Yearbook 2025, published recently, provides a comprehensive overview of global developments in armaments, disarmament, and international security for 2024.
Key Findings
Global Security. Global security continued to decline in 2024, marked by major armed conflicts in regions such as Gaza, Myanmar, Sudan, and Ukraine. These conflicts contributed to heightened geopolitical tensions and increased military activities worldwide.
Military Expenditure. Global military spending reached an all-time high in 2024, marking the ninth consecutive year of increases. Ongoing conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and geopolitical tensions drove this rise.
Armed Conflicts and Conflict Management. The Yearbook covers global and regional developments in armed conflicts, peace processes, and peace operations. Specific focus areas include the role of Russian private military and security companies, food insecurity, and climate-related peace and security risks in Yemen. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated into a brief armed conflict in early 2025, highlighting ongoing regional instability.
Arms Production and Trade. International arms transfers and production saw significant developments, influenced by the Russia-Ukraine war and geopolitical rivalries. The Yearbook notes the continued dominance of major arms suppliers like the United States, Russia, France, Germany, and China.
Emerging Technologies and Security The Yearbook examines the international governance of artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and space security, with a focus on autonomous weapon systems. Developments in dual-use and arms trade controls were noted, including updates to the Arms Trade Treaty and multilateral arms embargoes.
Environmental and Humanitarian Concerns. The report highlights the impact of ecological imbalances and climate-related risks, noting that 2023 was the hottest year in 174 years. These factors exacerbate security challenges, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Yemen.
Nuclear Weapons and Risks
All nine nuclear-armed states (the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel) continued modernising their nuclear arsenals, with some expanding their stockpiles.
The global inventory of nuclear warheads is estimated at approximately 12,121, with 9,585 in military stockpiles for potential use. Around 3,904 warheads are deployed on missiles and aircraft, a slight increase from 2023.
China’s nuclear arsenal grew significantly, from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 in January 2024, the fastest expansion among nuclear-armed states. For the first time, China is believed to have some warheads on high operational alert during peacetime.
India expanded its nuclear arsenal to 172 warheads in 2024, surpassing Pakistan (170 warheads) for the first time. Both countries continued developing new delivery systems, with India focusing on longer-range weapons to target China.
North Korea is estimated to have around 50 assembled warheads, with the potential to produce up to 90, and conducted tests of nuclear-capable missiles in 2023.
The decline in global nuclear warhead numbers has slowed, with operational warheads increasing due to modernisation and expansion programs, signalling a potential new arms race.
Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.
Nuclear arms control efforts faced challenges, with limited progress in dialogues involving China, Russia, and the United States. Concerns were raised about Iran’s nuclear program and attacks on Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
Conventional arms control weakened, with the collapse of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and the proliferation of explosive weapons in conflicts like Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas.
Chemical and biological security threats were addressed, including investigations into alleged weapon use and updates to international legal frameworks.
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