Revitalizing Nuclear Operations in the Joint Environment

SIPRI YEARBOOK

While world attention is focused on the nuclear programmes of Iran and North Korea, eight states possess about 12 100 operational nuclear weapons (see table 13A.1). 1 Several thousand nuclear weapons are kept on high alert, ready to be launched within minutes. If all nuclear warheads are counted-operational warheads, spares, and those in both active and inactive storage-the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan and Israel together possess a total of more than 27 000 warheads. None of the five legally recognized nuclear weapon states, as defined by the 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), appears to be planning to disarm its nuclear arsenal in the foreseeable future. 2 Russia and the USA are in the process of reducing their operational nuclear forces as a result of two bilateral treaties-the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I Treaty) and the 2002 Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT). 3 In the USA, implementation of the 2001 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) 4 has begun on all aspects of the nuclear postures. This includes a reduction by 'almost half' of the total stockpile by 2012 and the development of new ballistic missiles, strategic submarines, long-range bombers, new or modified nuclear weapons, nuclear weapon production facilities, nuclear command and control systems, and modified nuclear war plans. Similarly, Russia has announced its plan to reduce mainly land-based strategic missiles but also to retain for another decade, rather than dismantling, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) equipped with multiple, independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs). A new ICBM, a new class of strategic submarines and a new cruise missile are being introduced. Tables 13A.2 and 13A.3 show the composition of the deployed nuclear forces of the USA and Russia, respectively.

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 2017

The authors estimate that as of mid-2017, there are nearly 15,000 nuclear weapons in the world, located at some 107 sites in 14 countries. Roughly, 9400 of these weapons are in military arsenals; the remaining weapons are retired and awaiting dismantlement. Nearly 4000 are operationally available, and some 1800 are on high alert and ready for use on short notice. This article reviews the locations of nuclear weapons in all nine nuclear-armed states, as well as those of US weapons deployed outside the United States.

2022

Abstract In this article, I present a view on the future of nuclear war which takes into account the expected technological progress as well as global political changes. There are three main directions in which technological progress in nuclear weapons may happen: 1) Very powerful, many gigaton weapons. 2) Cheaper nuclear bombs which are based on the use of the reactor-grade plutonium, laser isotope separation or are hypothetical pure fusion weapons. Also, advanced nanotechnology will provide the ability to quickly build large nuclear arsenals and AI could be used in designing, manufacturing and nuclear strategy planning. 3) Specialized nukes like nuclear-powered space lasers, hafnium bombs and nuclear-powered space ships as kinetic weapons. Meanwhile, the nuclear war strategy also has changed as the bipolar world has ended and as new types of weapons are becoming available. The first strategy change is that Doomsday weapons for blackmail will become attractive for weaker countries which can’t use ICBM to penetrate the anti-missile defense of the enemies. Secondly, the cheaper nukes will become available to smaller actors, who may be involved in “worldwide guerilla”. Cheaper nukes and a larger number of actors also encourage regional nuclear wars, nuclear terrorism and anonymous or false-flag warfare. This will result in the disruption of social complexity and in the global food production shortages because of the effects on climate. The third change of the strategy is the use of nukes not against primary military targets but on other objects, which could increase their effects: nuclear power plants, supervolcanos, EMP, tsunamis, taiga fires for global cooling, and even more hypothetical things like asteroid deflection to Earth. All these unconventional means and strategies of nuclear war could become available somewhere in the 21st century and may cause or contribute to the civilizational collapse and even human extinction.

alessandria today, 2025

This study examines the complex interplay between nuclear doctrines, arsenals, and alliances, providing a comprehensive analysis of how nuclear capabilities shape global power dynamics. Beginning with an overview of nuclear weapons' technological evolution, it highlights the stark contrast between the tactical atomic bombs of the mid-20th century and today's thermonuclear devices. The report explores the consistency of global stockpiles, with particular focus on the doctrines and arsenals of key nuclear powers, including the United States, Russia, China, and emerging players such as India and North Korea. It delves into the regional rivalries of Israel-Iran and AUKUS-China, elucidating how alliances, strategic interests, and perceived existential threats influence policy decisions and escalate risks. The role of deterrence, strategic ambiguity, and the integration of advanced technologies such as hypersonic missiles and nuclear-powered submarines are scrutinized to reveal their dual stabilizing and destabilizing effects. Finally, the work evaluates the potential for regional conflicts, such as those involving NATO and Russia or India and Pakistan, to escalate into global crises. By connecting localized disputes with broader economic and geopolitical implications, it underscores the fragility of global stability in a multipolar nuclear world. The study emphasizes the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts, enhanced communication channels, and multilateral arms control agreements to mitigate risks and secure a more stable future

Pandemic-Nuclear-Nexus Project, 2020

The article examines the recent decisions taken by central nuclear-armed states to give expanded roles to nuclear weapons in their military plans. The decisions reflect the increased salience of nuclear weapons in their national security strategies. It marks a reversal of the post-cold war trend toward the relative marginalization of nuclear weapons. Political and military leaders in these countries are moving away from the goal of limiting the nuclear weapons role to the sole purpose of deterring aggression with the use of the same type of arms. Instead, they are emphasizing nuclear options to respond to conventional and even cyber-attacks. This lowering of the nuclear threshold coincides with the stagnation of the nuclear arms control. Simultaneously, the political distrust grows between Russia and the USA, NATO, and also between the United States and China.