Fears of World War Three are rising globally, with countries across the world aggressively strengthening their nuclear capabilities. Growing fears of a global conflict are being fuelled by intense military flare-ups between the US and Iran, the stalling Ukraine-Russia war, and the strengthening military alignment among Russia, North Korea, China, and Iran.
Brits Expect WW3 Within a Decade
A 2026 YouGov poll revealed that 53% of Brits believe a WW3 is likely within the next five to 10 years, marking a 12 percentage-point increase from 2025.
Figures from the Union of Concerned Scientists, who dub nuclear weapons "an existential risk", show the nine countries that possess nuclear weapons control a combined inventory of roughly 12,241 to 13,000 nuclear warheads. However, Russia and the USA remain at the forefront of nuclear capability, commanding roughly a combined 90% of the whole global arsenal.
China's Fast-Growing Arsenal and Israel's Opacity
China has the world's fastest growing nuclear arsenal while Israel is the only nation that has never confirmed or denied possessing nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, countries such as Belgium, Germany and Italy host US nuclear weapons but do not independently control any of their own.
Below are the world's nine most powerful nuclear nations in terms of estimated warhead count.
North Korea and Israel
North Korea comes ninth in the list, with an estimated stockpile of 50 to 60 nuclear warheads. However, Kim Jong Un is believed to have the raw fissile material required to build up to 90 weapons. Pyongyang is thought to be expanding its arsenal and experts believe they have achieved the expertise to miniaturise nuclear warheads. Between 2006 and 2017, North Korea conducted six underground nuclear tests at its Punggye-ri Test Site.
Israel is believed to have a nuclear stockpile of around 90 warheads. It is the only country in the Middle East that possesses nuclear weapons, though it operates entirely outside the framework of the United Nations Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Meanwhile, Israel maintains an official policy of nuclear opacity. The government has never officially confirmed or denied possessing nuclear weapons, stating that it "will not be the first to introduce nuclear weapons to the Middle East".
Pakistan and India
Figures show that Pakistan has one of the fastest-growing stockpiles in the world with around 170 nuclear warheads. This includes around 125 road-mobile ballistic missiles. Pakistan has a "full spectrum deterrence" doctrine designed to counter its rival India. The arsenal is managed by the military's Strategic Plans Division (SPD) rather than civilian leaders.
With around 190 nuclear warheads, India sits just ahead of its rival Pakistan. It recently deployed 12 live warheads aboard its ballistic missile submarines. However, India insists its nuclear strength is aimed at deterring external threats rather than engaging in an arms race. It maintains a policy not to use nuclear weapons first.
