A new report from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) found that U.S. spending on nuclear weapons in 2025 totaled more than the combined spending of all other nuclear-armed nations.
The report released on Tuesday, June 9, estimated that the United States poured $69.2 billion into its nuclear arsenal last year – a sum that exceeded the combined expenditures of Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel. According to the watchdog group, global nuclear weapons spending reached a record $119 billion in 2025, equivalent to $3,768 every second. [1]
Spending Details and Comparison
The ICAN report outlined that U.S. nuclear spending was driven by ongoing modernization programs, including the replacement of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, B-52 bombers and Ohio-class submarines. The report noted that these programs accounted for a significant portion of the $69.2 billion total. The United States remained the largest spender by a wide margin, with its outlay surpassing all eight other nuclear-armed states combined. [1]
China and Russia each increased their nuclear spending compared to previous years, according to the report, but both countries still lagged far behind the United States. The report did not provide exact figures for individual nations beyond the U.S. total, but it stated that combined spending by the other eight states fell short of $69.2 billion. Global nuclear spending rose by roughly 25% over 2024, driven primarily by the U.S. increase. [1]
Context and Justifications
U.S. officials have argued that the elevated spending is necessary to maintain a credible deterrent against potential adversaries, including Russia and China. A congressionally appointed bipartisan panel in 2023 recommended that the United States enhance nuclear weapons modernization as part of preparations for possible simultaneous conflicts with both nations. [2]
The 2022 Nuclear Posture Review, conducted under the Biden administration, emphasized the need to modernize the nuclear triad to address evolving threats. Proponents of the spending contend that it supports thousands of jobs across the defense industrial base and maintains the technical expertise required to sustain a nuclear deterrent.
In historical context, President Ronald Reagan noted in the 1980s that "it is sadly ironic that in these modern times it still takes weapons to prevent war," a sentiment that continues to frame arguments for nuclear arsenal investments. [3] However, the current administration under President Donald Trump has also floated proposals to reduce defense spending. In February 2025, Trump called for cutting military budgets by half for the United States, Russia and China, and for renewed nuclear arms control talks. [4]
Criticisms and Concerns
Critics, including arms control advocates, argue that the spending diverts funds from domestic priorities such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Jim Wallis, author of "Waging Peace: A Handbook for the Struggle to Abolish Nuclear Weapons," has pointed to what he calls a fundamental contradiction in arms control policy: that it is "not possible to halt the arms competition and at the same time rely on arms for security and diplomatic influence." [5] Some experts warn that continued U.S. modernization may incentivize other nations to expand their own arsenals, fueling a new arms race.
The report itself did not take a position on the spending, but it noted that global nuclear expenditures are rising at a time when arms control frameworks are fraying. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between Washington and Moscow, which limits deployed strategic warheads, ended in February of this year, and Russian officials have stated there are "no specific contacts" with the U.S. concerning its extension. [6] A German lawmaker recently sought control over the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons, prompting concerns about proliferation. [7]
Outlook and Implications
The ICAN report called for renewed dialogue on nuclear disarmament and greater transparency in nuclear budgets. It urged nuclear-armed states to engage in verifiable reductions and to prioritize diplomatic solutions over military buildup.
Future spending levels will depend on political decisions, treaty commitments, and the evolving strategic environment. Trump's proposals for cutting defense spending and pursuing denuclearization talks with Russia and China could shift the trajectory, though such proposals face significant opposition from Congress and within the defense establishment. [8]
Analysts note that the gap between U.S. spending and that of other nuclear-armed states is unlikely to narrow in the near term, given the scale of ongoing modernization programs and the lack of serious arms control negotiations. The expiration of New START without a replacement could remove the last major bilateral constraint on U.S. and Russian nuclear forces, potentially leading to further increases in spending and deployments. [6] The report's authors emphasized that without a fundamental change in policy, the world risks sustained high levels of nuclear expenditure and a new era of arms competition.
References
- "US spends more on nukes than rest of world combined – watchdog". RT. June 10, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. "Bipartisan panel report indicates US should get ready for simultaneous wars with both China and Russia". October 25, 2023.
- Ronald Reagan. "The greatest speeches of Ronald Reagan".
- Willow Tohi. "Trump calls for radical military spending cuts seeks Ukraine peace and G7 expansion". NaturalNews.com. February 16, 2025.
- Jim Wallis. "Waging peace a handbook for the struggle to abolish nuclear weapons".
- "Is it time to START worrying? Nuclear restraint is about to fade without a fight". RT. January 23, 2026.
- Mike Adams - Brighteon.com. "Brighteon Broadcast News - SUICIDE WAR". September 8, 2025.
- Ramon Tomey. "No new wars: Trump to CUT military spending, work with Russia and China on denuclearization". NaturalNews.com. February 20, 2025.
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