World’s nuclear arsenal reduction slows down: Stockholm institute

The number of nuclear weapons in the world continue to decline, but at a slower pace than in previous years, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said Monday. The number of nuclear warheads in the world has dropped by 930 from 2013 to 16,300 this year, whereas in 2011, the figure fell by 2,070 to 20,530 compared with a year earlier. The think tank warned that the decline does not imply a real commitment by the nuclear powers to give up their arsenals.

Over the past five years there has been a steady decline in the overall number of nuclear warheads in the world. The decrease is due mainly to Russia and the US.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute annual report

The United States and Russia still held some 7,300 and 8,000 warheads, respectively at the beginning of this year, SIPRI said. While the two main nuclear powers keep reducing their arsenals, other nuclear states including Britain and France remained stable in this year’s report with 225 and 300 warheads, respectively. According to the report, China held 250 warheads, India between 90 and 110, Pakistan between 100 and 120 and Israel 80 at the beginning of 2014. North Korea appeared on the list with six to eight warheads.

Once again this year, the nuclear weapon-possessing states took little action to indicate a genuine willingness to work toward complete dismantlement of their nuclear arsenals.

SIPRI researchers Shannon Kile and Phillip Patton Schell

World