A Swedish research institute that analyzes the world's military situation points out that the risk of using nuclear weapons has been the highest since the Cold War as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, and that the world's nuclear warheads have been on a downward trend. He said the total number could start to increase over the next 10 years.
According to the annual report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute in Sweden on the 13th, the total number of nuclear warheads owned by each country is estimated to be 12,705 as of January, a decrease of 375 from last year. did.
This is because Russia and the United States, which own about 90% of the total, proceeded with the dismantling of aging warheads.
On the other hand, North Korea was added to the estimate for the first time to 20 shots, and India increased 4 shots to 160 shots.
Other holding countries such as China, France and the United Kingdom have not changed from last year.
Although the total number of nuclear warheads has declined, the institute mentions that Russia, which invades Ukraine, mentions the possibility of using nuclear weapons, saying that "the risk of using nuclear weapons is the highest since the Cold War. I point out.
In addition, many of the possessing countries have clearly positioned nuclear weapons in their military strategies, saying that the total number of nuclear warheads in the world, which has been on a downward trend, may start to increase in the next 10 years. I did.
"If nuclear-weapon states do not take immediate action towards disarmament, they will have more nuclear warheads for the first time after the Cold War," said Matt Corda, one of the authors of the report. Is ringing.