Global spending on nuclear weapons reaches $82.9 billion

The International Nuclear Weapons Initiative (ICAN) Tracking the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons report on nuclear weapons spending to 2022 was announced by ICAN Policy and Research Coordinator Alicia Sanders-Zakre and Program Coordinator Susi Snyder , at a press conference organized by the Association of Accredited Press Officers at the United Nations Office at Geneva (ACANU).

HAS INCREASED FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Global spending on nuclear weapons increased for the third year in a row, as nine countries with nuclear weapons continued to modernize and expand their arsenals, according to the report.

Consequently, the amount spent on nuclear weapons last year increased by 3 percent compared to the previous year and amounted to 82.9 billion dollars. Although the United States remains the country that spends the most on nuclear weapons, last year it spent $43.7 billion in this area.

China, which spent $11.7 billion, followed Washington, while Russia, up 5.74 percent from a year earlier, became the third-biggest spender with $9.6 billion.

LARGEST INCREASE IN INDIA

Although the largest increase in spending on nuclear weapons was recorded in India with 21.8 percent, the United Kingdom also registered as another of the countries that increased its spending in this field with 11 percent.

Nuclear weapons makers signed some $16 billion worth of new contracts in 2022 and, in return, spent $113 million just to lobby the US and French governments.

It was also noted that countries with nuclear weapons have contracts with companies worth at least $278.6 billion, in some cases up to 2040.

“WE CAN BETTER USE OURSELVES TO ADDRESS MOST GLOBAL PROBLEMS”

“These amounts spent on weapons of mass destruction could have been better used to address many of the global challenges we face. For example, with $82.9 billion, you can provide clean water sanitation to approximately 1.3 billion people around the world.” saying.

Describing spending by nuclear-armed states in this area in 2022 as “wasted spending,” Sanders-Zakre argued that these amounts “do nothing to improve global security” and “make it worse.”

Snyder, on the other hand, said that more and more investors in the country are beginning to view nuclear weapons as a significant risk and are forgoing deals with nuclear weapons companies. AA