Nuclear weapons and warhead budgets: What the top 9 atomic powers really spend

India Today

21-06-2025

In 2024, the nine nuclear-armed states spent over $100 billion -- roughly Rs 8.3 lakhcrore -- on weapons that can destroy cities, at a rate of $190,151 per minute (Rs 1.64 crore per minute), as per ICAN's Hidden Costs Report. That's more than many governments spend on entire health or education systems, and a sharp 11% rise compared to the previous year.advertisementThis countdown isn't just about warhead totals -- it's about how much money flows into ready-to-fire missiles, submarines and bombers. Each country's nuclear line item gets measured against real, reported figures on healthcare or schooling. The result: a stark look at priorities in a world armed to the teeth:1. NORTH KOREA50 warheads
These include mostly boosted-fission devices. Delivery includes Hwasong-series ICBMs with 10,000km range, plus submarine-launched ballistic missiles.With roughly $630 million (~Rs 5,230crore) spent in 2024, this dwarfs UNESCO's report that showed they spent only $320million in 2023 on basic education, leaving village schools underresourced.2. ISRAEL90 warheadsThese include tactical bombs and cruise-missile capable nukes, likely air-launched. Nuclear outlay hit $1.1 billion (Rs 9,130crore) in 2024.Though nuclear expenses is only around 4% of Israel's national health budget ($25 billion), the health budget is debated and allocated to improve services like hospitals and clinics, while the nuclear budget is kept secret.3. PAKISTANadvertisement170 warheadsPakistan's arsenal includes gun-type and boosted-fission bombs, plus short-range Shaheen and Ghauri missiles with nuclear capability. The nuclear budget of $1.1 billion (~ Rs 9,130crore) makes up about 10% of Pakistan's defence spending. Budget documents show primary schooling receives a similar sum, yet dozens of rural schools still lack electricity and books.4. INDIA172 warheadsThese include fission bombs and MIRV-ready, solid-fuel Agni series missiles (Agni-5 range up to 5,000km). In 2024, nuclear costs hit Rs 21,400crore (~$2.6billion).India's 2023-24 budget shows primary education spending at ~Rs 63,000crore -- three times higher --but digital classrooms and basic facilities remain a challenge in the world's largest-populated nation.5. UNITED KINGDOM225 warheadsBritain deploys warheads on Vanguard submarines; each Dreadnought-class SSBN will carry up to 40 Trident missiles. Nuclear forces cost about 10.4 billion (Rs 86,300crore) in 2024.National Health Service (NHS) figures for cancer services show an 8 billion (Rs 66,400crore) annual budget, slightly less than the nuclear bill.
6. FRANCE290 warheadsFrance maintains both air-launched ASMP-A missiles and SLBMs aboard Triomphant submarines. In 2024, nuclear budget grew to 6.4 billion (~ Rs 55,000crore).advertisementBy comparison, total public spending on health was 180 billion, yet ICU bed capacity remains a concern.7. CHINA600 warheadsChina's arsenal includes DF-41 ICBMs, JL-3 SLBMs, and advancing MIRV tech. Spending reached $12.5 billion (~Rs 1.04Lakhcrore) in 2024.This nearly matches China's central budget for poverty relief (around $12billion), a programme lifting millions from rural hardship.8. RUSSIA5,459 warheadsRussia fields SS-19, SS-27, Sarmat ICBMs, Borei-class subs, and Tu-160 bombers with long-range nukes. Nuclear spending hit $8.1 billion (~Rs 67,000crore).Federal health data from 2023 shows overall health spending ~ $15 billion, almost double the nuclear expenses, but doctors still earn low wages and clinics are often understaffed.9. UNITED STATES5,177 warheads (1,770 deployed)US nuclear arsenal comprises Minuteman III ICBMs, Columbia-class submarines, B-2 and B-52 bombers, plus tactical low-yield nukes. It spent $56.8 billion (Rs 4.72Lakhcrore) in 2024, more than all other nuclear-armed states put together.By comparison, the US federal education budget in 2024 was $77 billion, surprisingly larger than it's massive nuclear expenses, yet classrooms still face teacher shortages.The US is also planning a sweeping modernisation of its entire nuclear arsenal between 2024 and 2034, with projected costs reaching $946billion (~Rs 78Lakhcrore).advertisement----These figures reveal a grim reality: billions funnel into nuclear forces each year, draining money from schools, hospitals and health systems.When a country spends more on a submarine missile than stays in its health service, we face a choice -- not just between bombs and budgets, but between defence and human dignity.Must Watch