The World's Nuclear Arsenals, Ranked (2026)
Estimated total nuclear warhead inventory, beginning of 2026
Source: Federation of American Scientists, Status of World Nuclear Forces 2026North Korea
Deployed: ~0 · stockpile: ~60- Estimated warheads (total inventory):
- 60
- Category:
- Asia
North Korea has an estimated 60 assembled nuclear warheads, the smallest arsenal of the nine nuclear-armed states, and none are thought to be deployed on launchers.
FAS says North Korea might have produced enough fissile material for at least 90 warheads, but estimates its assembled arsenal at about 60. Fissile material and finished weapons are not the same thing.
Source: FAS, Status of World Nuclear Forces 2026
Israel
Deployed: ~0 · stockpile: ~90- Estimated warheads (total inventory):
- 90
- Category:
- Middle East
Israel is estimated to hold about 90 nuclear warheads, all kept in central storage rather than deployed. It has never officially confirmed that it possesses nuclear weapons.
FAS says Israel has produced enough plutonium for 100 to 200 warheads, but estimates its stockpile at about 90.
Source: FAS, Status of World Nuclear Forces 2026
Pakistan
Deployed: ~0 · stockpile: 170- Estimated warheads (total inventory):
- 170
- Category:
- Asia
Pakistan has an estimated 170 nuclear warheads, none of them deployed on launchers, according to FAS. Pakistan does not publish figures, so the estimate carries high uncertainty.
Pakistan trails India by about 20 warheads, and FAS lists both countries among those increasing their stockpiles.
Source: FAS, Status of World Nuclear Forces 2026
India
Deployed: ~0 · stockpile: 190- Estimated warheads (total inventory):
- 190
- Category:
- Asia
India has an estimated 190 nuclear warheads, putting it ahead of Pakistan. FAS lists no Indian warheads as deployed in its main table, although it notes that a small number might occasionally be carried on a submarine on deterrent patrol.
FAS lists India among the countries increasing their stockpiles, along with China, North Korea, Pakistan and the United Kingdom, and possibly Russia.
Source: FAS, Status of World Nuclear Forces 2026
United Kingdom
Deployed: ~120 · stockpile: 225- Estimated warheads (total inventory):
- 225
- Category:
- Europe
The United Kingdom has an estimated 225 nuclear warheads, about 120 of them deployed. In 2021 it said it would no longer publish figures for its operational stockpile.
In 2021 the UK raised its stockpile ceiling to “no more than 260 warheads,” and FAS lists it among the countries increasing their stockpiles.
Source: FAS, Status of World Nuclear Forces 2026
France
Deployed: ~280 · stockpile: 290- Estimated warheads (total inventory):
- 370
- Category:
- Europe
France has an estimated 370 warheads in total inventory, with about 290 in its military stockpile. Roughly 80 retired warheads are still awaiting dismantlement.
France announced in early 2026 that it will no longer disclose figures for its nuclear arsenal, as it had in the past.
Source: FAS, Status of World Nuclear Forces 2026
China
Deployed: ~34 · stockpile: 620- Estimated warheads (total inventory):
- 620
- Category:
- Asia
China has an estimated 620 nuclear warheads, a distant third behind the US and Russia but growing fast. Only a small number are thought to be deployed; the vast majority sit in central storage.
In 2022, the US Department of Defense projected that China will have about 1,000 operational warheads by 2030. FAS says the claim depends on uncertain factors, including how many missile silos are built and future fissile material production. Even 1,000 would be less than a fifth of Russia's current inventory.
Source: FAS, Status of World Nuclear Forces 2026
United States
Deployed: ~1,670 strategic + ~100 nonstrategic · stockpile: ~3,700- Estimated warheads (total inventory):
- 5,042
- Category:
- North America
The United States has an estimated 5,042 warheads in total inventory, about 378 fewer than Russia. FAS says the US is still reducing its military stockpile of about 3,700 slowly.
FAS estimates that some 100 to 120 US B61 nuclear bombs are deployed at bases in five or six European countries.
Source: FAS, Status of World Nuclear Forces 2026
Russia
Deployed: ~1,796 strategic · stockpile: 4,400- Estimated warheads (total inventory):
- 5,420
- Category:
- Europe
Russia has the world's largest total nuclear inventory, estimated at 5,420 warheads. FAS estimates that 1,796 of them are deployed strategic warheads, compared with 1,670 for the United States. The total also includes about 2,604 warheads in reserve and roughly 1,020 retired warheads awaiting dismantlement.
The other seven nuclear-armed states combined hold 1,725 warheads — fewer than the 1,796 Russia already has deployed.
Source: FAS, Status of World Nuclear Forces 2026