Experts reveal five countries that are quietly stockpiling nukes amid fears of World War 3

Data looking into the world's nuclear arsenal has revealed five countries that have increased their number of weapons over the past 40 years.

The figures, which come from the Federation of American Scientists, prove poignant at a time in which US President Donald Trump has accused Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy of 'gambling with World War III' in relation to the country's ongoing war with Ukraine.

The POTUS has urged both Russia and Ukraine to 'get to the table' to establish a peace deal 'before it is too late', and both countries have indicated that they are interested in making progress towards peace.

As hopes to end the war continue, the data from the Federation of American Scientists offers insights into how countries across the globe compare to one another when it comes to their nuclear arsenal. The federation has also noted that no other nuclear-armed state has acknowledged a need for more than a few hundred nuclear weapons for national security.

According to the data, which runs up to 2024, the US and Russia together hold approximately 88 per cent of the world's nuclear weapons, however, the amount held by each country has decreased in the last few decades following the Cold War.

In 1986, Russia had 40,159 nuclear weapons, versus 4,380 in 2024.

Russia has the most nuclear weapons (GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the US has decreased its arsenal from 23,317 to 3,700 in the same time period.

However, there are five countries whose figures have gone up in the last few decades, in some cases taking them from zero weapons to almost 200.

They are as follows:

• China - 224 in 1986 versus 500 in 2024
• Pakistan - 0 in 1986 versus 170 in 2024
• India - 0 in 1986 versus 172 in 2024
• Israel - 44 in 1986 versus 90 in 2024
• North Korea - 0 in 1986 versus 50 in 2024

These five countries join the US and Russia in being armed with nuclear weapons, along with France and the UK.

The FAS has noted its figures are based on estimates (Federal of American Scientists)

The Federation of American Scientists has stressed that the exact number of nuclear weapons in each country’s possession is a closely held secret, so the figures presented are only estimates based on publicly available information, analysis of historical records, and occasional leaks.

Of the world’s approximate 12,121 nuclear warheads, roughly 9,585 are believed to be in the military stockpiles for use by missiles, aircraft, ships and submarines. While the overall inventory of nuclear weapons is declining, the pace at which they are being reduced is believed to be slowing in comparison with the previous 30 years.