Number of nuclear weapons held by major powers rising, says thinktank

China, the world’s third biggest nuclear power, is believed to have increased its number of warheads to 410 in January 2023. Photograph: Reuters

The number of operational nuclear weapons in the arsenals of the major military powers is on the rise again according to a leading thinktank, whose analysts warn the world is “drifting into one of the most dangerous periods in human history”.

At a time of both deteriorating international relations and the escalation of nuclear sabre-rattling, there are now said to be an estimated 12,512 warheads globally, of which 9,576 are in military stockpiles ready for potential use, up 86 on a year ago.