US allocates 22% more funding to nuclear arsenal in 2025, reports Swiss NGO
In 2025, the United States significantly increased its expenditure on nuclear weapons, with spending rising by 22% compared to the previous year, reaching a total of $69.2 billion. This information comes from a recent report published by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), a prominent global coalition advocating for the complete elimination of nuclear arms.
ICAN highlighted that the US continues to outspend all other nuclear-armed countries combined, underscoring its dominant position in nuclear weapons investment. The $69.2 billion allocated by the US in 2025 marks a substantial increase from 2024, reflecting ongoing priorities in modernizing and expanding its nuclear arsenal.
The report also provides a comparative overview of nuclear weapons spending by other nations. China ranks second with $13.5 billion, followed closely by the United Kingdom at $12.6 billion, and Russia at $9.5 billion. When combined, the total nuclear weapons expenditure of the nine nuclear-armed states covered in the report approaches nearly $119 billion, illustrating the vast global financial commitment to nuclear capabilities.
Founded in Melbourne, Australia, in 2007, ICAN is a coalition of non-governmental organizations dedicated to advocating for total nuclear disarmament worldwide. The organization’s efforts were internationally recognized when it received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017, emphasizing its influential role in raising awareness and pushing for policy changes aimed at reducing nuclear threats.
This sharp increase in US nuclear weapons spending raises important questions about global security dynamics and the future of arms control efforts, especially as other nuclear powers also maintain significant investment levels.
