Nuclear weapons equivalent to 146,500 Hiroshima bombs are available for use
The Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor, published by Norwegian People’s Aid in cooperation with the Federation of American Scientists, shows the number of nuclear weapons available for use has increased from 9,585 at the beginning of 2024 to 9,604 at the beginning of 2025.
"A very disturbing increase," says Secretary General of Norwegian People's Aid, Raymond Johansen.
The Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor also shows that several nuclear-weapon states are expanding their arsenals, which means the total number of nuclear weapons in the world is likely to increase again, for the first time since the Cold War.
At the same time, the report shows that exactly half of the world's states have now signed the nuclear weapons ban.
"The ban is growing stronger and stronger. The goal is initially for as many as possible of the world's 188 non-nuclear-weapon states to join the ban, and then together put pressure on the nine nuclear-weapon states to disarm. Every signatory country counts. It is in times like these we as a global community must hold on extra tightly to the principles that protect us. Seeing that the nuclear weapons ban continues to receive increased support is a beacon of hope when it comes to respect for international humanitarian law, in what can be said to be a very uncertain situation globally," says Johansen.
A small minority of 43 states continue to base their citizens' security on weapons of mass destruction: the nine nuclear-weapon states, and 34 countries that are under a so-called nuclear umbrella. Most of these countries, which stand directly in the way of nuclear disarmament, are located in Europe. Norway is one of these.
Our politicians have a duty to protect us
"Our politicians have a duty to protect us," says Johansen, "and it is only by working for nuclear disarmament they can do so. Too many European and Norwegian politicians continue to believe that more nuclear weapons and more nuclear deterrence is the answer to the threat posed by nuclear weapons. They are wrong".
As the Ban Monitor is being launched in New York, Norway is absent during the meeting of the States Parties to the nuclear weapons ban. "It is disappointing and hard to understand why Norway choses not to participate as an observer," says Johansen.
As recent as December of 2024, the Foreign Minister spoke about the importance of Norway observing, as they have done during the two previous meetings.
"In the draft party manifesto of Arbeiderpartiet (the Norwegian Labour Party), it is clearly stated that 'Norway will engage in nuclear disarmament in the UN' and 'pursue a forward-looking foreign policy for disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction'," Johansen points out.
"The time to take the full step and sign the ban, is now, and Norway choosing to not even observe is completely contrary to both the party manifesto and what is good foreign policy right now.
He refers to the discussion that is now taking place in Europe about increased European investment in French nuclear weapons and says that nuclear deterrence is a mirage and a deeply problematic security policy that will eventually lead to the use of nuclear weapons. "Increased investment in nuclear deterrence is not the way to go now. Nuclear weapons cannot be used for something will not affect us in the worst way possible. We must build up real, conventional defense capacity," says Johansen.
"We have a unique opportunity right now to achieve actual disarmament. It is important that this chance is not wasted like it was after the Cold War. A good place to start would be to work to ensure that the United States, Russia and China now begin to cooperate on arms control and nuclear disarmament," Johansen concludes.
