news

Recently, the U.S. government officially declassified key data of its nuclear arsenal through the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which has attracted widespread attention around the world. According to the latest data released, as of September 2023, the U.S. nuclear arsenal has 3,748 nuclear warheads. This figure reveals the U.S.nuclear weaponHuge strength in the field.

The fact sheet, carefully compiled by the National Nuclear Security Administration, details that the size of the U.S. nuclear warhead inventory remains almost unchanged compared to 2021, demonstrating the stability of U.S. policy in this area. As of September 2020, the total number of U.S. nuclear warheads was 3,750, and the slight difference reflects the subtle adjustments made by the United States in nuclear disarmament. It is worth noting that this statistic covers both active and inactive nuclear warheads, but retired warheads are not included.

What is even more remarkable is that from 1994 to 2023, the United States has dismantled a total of 12,088 nuclear warheads, of which 405 were dismantled between 2020 and 2023 alone. Currently, there are still about 2,000 nuclear warheads in retirement, awaiting further dismantling, which shows the United States' continued efforts and determination in nuclear disarmament.

If we extend the timeline to 1967, the US nuclear warhead inventory reached an astonishing 31,255, a record high. Today, this number has dropped significantly, highlighting the remarkable progress of the global nuclear disarmament process. However, despite the significant progress, the United States is still the world's second largest nuclear power, and the size of its nuclear arsenal cannot be ignored.

According to the latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), as of 2024, the United States has a total of 5,044 nuclear warheads, second only to Russia. Russia ranks first with 5,580 nuclear warheads, and the nuclear power comparison between the two countries remains tense and delicate.

Arms control talks between Washington and Moscow were highly successful during the Cold War, leading to a steady decline in the number of nuclear warheads. However, as relations between the United States and Russia deteriorated and the conflict in Ukraine continued, the dialogue between the two countries reached an impasse. Despite this, both sides remain committed to maintaining the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which strictly limits the number of deployed nuclear weapons to no more than 1,550.

However, a recent report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute has sounded the alarm for the global nuclear security situation. The report pointed out that the world is in "one of the most dangerous periods in human history" because global powers are constantly strengthening their nuclear arsenals and advancing the modernization process. Tensions in places such as Ukraine and Gaza have further weakened global nuclear diplomacy efforts and cast a shadow on the prospect of nuclear disarmament.

In this context, the US move to declassify nuclear arsenal data has undoubtedly provided a new opportunity for global nuclear security dialogue. Countries should take this opportunity to strengthen communication and cooperation and jointly promote the global nuclear disarmament process to maintain world peace and stability.

Follow "People Who Follow Big Events" to get the latest news on global hot spots!