According to a research report released by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) on June 9, global spending on nuclear arsenals by the world's nine nuclear-armed states reached a record high of nearly $119 billion in 2024, marking a 19% increase compared to 2023. Among them, the United States spent $69.2 billion on nuclear programs last year—more than the combined total of the other eight nuclear-armed countries. Moreover, the U.S. recorded the largest annual increase in nuclear expenditure, with an additional $12.4 billion spent last year. The UK increased its nuclear spending to $12.6 billion last year, surpassing Russia ($9.5 billion) for the first time.
The report authors note that rising costs are a long-term trend. Most nuclear-armed nations continue advancing their nuclear programs to modernize strategic forces and develop new nuclear systems designed to remain in service through the mid-21st century and beyond. Current estimates suggest that France, the UK, and the U.S. alone plan to invest tens of billions of dollars over the coming years to maintain and enhance their nuclear capabilities, with cumulative long-term investments potentially exceeding $1 trillion globally.
ICAN warns that amid escalating geopolitical tensions, signs of a new round of nuclear arms race are emerging, with countries planning sustained increases in nuclear spending over the next several decades. ICAN is further concerned that the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) could further elevate the risk of nuclear weapons use.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867585219336329/
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