Story perspectives

Global Nuclear Spending Jumps 19% to $119B, US Leads

6/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Global nuclear weapons spending rose 19 percent in 2025 to $119 billion, the largest increase since 2020.
The United States spent $69.2 billion on nuclear weapons in 2025, the highest of any nuclear-armed state.
China increased its nuclear weapons budget by 7 percent to $13.5 billion in 2025.
Britain’s nuclear budget grew 17 percent to $12.6 billion, overtaking Russia as the third-largest spender.
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, a 2017 Nobel Peace laureate, calls for nuclear disarmament.

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Story summary

Global nuclear weapons spending rose 19 percent in 2025 to $119 billion, the largest increase since 2020.
The United States spent $69.2 billion on nuclear weapons in 2025, the highest of any nuclear-armed state.
China increased its nuclear weapons budget by 7 percent to $13.5 billion in 2025.
Britain’s nuclear budget grew 17 percent to $12.6 billion, overtaking Russia as the third-largest spender.
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, a 2017 Nobel Peace laureate, calls for nuclear disarmament.