A recent analysis reveals that Russia, China, and North Korea now collectively hold more nuclear weapons than NATO. Despite this shift, experts believe a nuclear alliance between these nations is unlikely.
Putin, Xi, and Kim Now Possess More Nuclear Weapons Than NATO
Putin, Xi, and Kim Now Possess More Nuclear Weapons Than NATO
Russia, China, and North Korea now collectively hold more nuclear weapons than NATO, according to a review by Norwegian Nettavisen. A Russian expert has commented on the risk of Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong-Un forming a nuclear alliance.
This week, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un were honored guests of China's President Xi Jinping during a major military parade in Beijing. The parade showcased various Chinese weapons, including an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying strategic nuclear warheads.
The so-called “Nuclear Notebook” was developed by researchers Hans M Kristensen, Matt Korda, and Eliana Reynolds, experts on the arsenals of nuclear powers. The overview, updated annually, is the most cited source on the estimated number of nuclear weapons worldwide.
Russia, China, and North Korea are three of the world's nine nuclear powers. Of NATO's 32 member states, only the USA, the UK, and France have their own nuclear weapons.
Trio Surpasses NATO
Ten years ago, NATO had over 300 more nuclear warheads than China, Russia, and North Korea combined. But now, the trio has surpassed the defense alliance, according to Nettavisen's deep dive into the “Nuclear Notebook” data.
NATO currently has 5,692 nuclear warheads in stock, the overwhelming majority of which belong to the USA. China, Russia, and North Korea are now estimated to possess 6,109 nuclear warheads together.
China's and North Korea's nuclear arsenals have grown significantly over the past decade. During this time, the arsenals of the UK, France, the USA, and Russia have remained relatively stable. However, there is uncertainty regarding the estimates for both China and North Korea due to the lack of public information from these countries.
On Possible Alliance: “Highly Unlikely”
Pavel Podvig, one of the world's leading experts on Russian nuclear weapons, believes that it “probably doesn't matter much” that Russia, China, and North Korea have surpassed NATO in the number of nuclear weapons.
“As we see the role of nuclear weapons in today's politics, the fact that one has a nuclear arsenal is much more important than the exact number of nuclear warheads,” says Podvig.
When asked if a nuclear alliance between Russia, China, and North Korea could emerge, Podvig responds:
“No, I think it is highly unlikely. Everyone keeps their nuclear weapons to themselves. I see no scenario where this would be coordinated in any way.”
He emphasized that the use of nuclear weapons would be “catastrophic.”
“All actors understand that any use of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable. No one wants to reach the point where it actually happens, and therefore the exact number doesn't matter much.”