China, North Korea, India and Pakistan are increasing their stockpiles of nuclear weapons, according to new research. (Reuters: Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation)
In short:
A new report finds the number of "available for use" nuclear weapons is continuing to grow despite non-proliferation efforts.
The findings have been released as international talks continue at the United Nations aimed at reducing the threat of radioactive war.
What's next?
The Australian government argues that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons remains the best way to promote disarmament.
The number of deployable nuclear weapons continues to steadily rise across the globe, with new research showing China, North Korea, India and Pakistan are increasing their stockpiles, as the United Nations warns disarmament efforts are being "eroded".
A report released to coincide with non-proliferation talks at the UN this week has found there are now over 9,605 nuclear weapons "available for use" globally, up from 9,585 last year.
According to the latest Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor, 40 per cent of the radioactive weapons are deployed and "ready for immediate use on submarines and land-based missiles, as well as at bomber bases".
The report notes that the total number of nuclear warheads globally has slowly decreased because ageing payloads are being retired by countries such as Russia and the United States, but weapons "available for use" have steadily increased.
UN goes nuclear
Photo shows Castle Bravo nuclear test
Statistics compiled by Norwegian People's Aid and the Federation of American Sciences has found China now has 600 warheads "available for use", while India and Pakistan have 180 and 170 respectively and North Korea boasting 50.
Although the "total inventory of warheads" in the United States has fallen, the military superpower still possesses 3,700 weapons that are "available for use", while its Cold War rival Russia has 4,299 nuclear payloads that are still active.
"This upward trajectory is expected to continue as countries modernise and, in some cases, expand their arsenals, unless there is a breakthrough in arms control and disarmament efforts", warned Hans M. Kristensen, from the Federation of American Scientists.
While anti-nuclear campaigners say they're dismayed at the upward trajectory in active nuclear arsenals, they're encouraged that the number of countries joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) has also risen.
A top United Nations representative has warned that "critical disarmament instruments are being eroded". (AP: John Minchillo)
"At a time when peace is at a premium and the world is roiled by tensions and a rising nuclear threat, the TPNW is the bright spot on the horizon," said Raymond Johansen, the secretary general of Norwegian People's Aid.
"Membership of the treaty continues to grow, reinforcing the global norm against nuclear weapons and increasing the stigmatisation of these weapons and of their use as tools of statecraft."
Australia resists signing treaty
At the opening of this week's Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in New York, a top UN representative warned that "critical disarmament instruments are being eroded".
The High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, said she remained concerned that the current global turmoil may exacerbate the public's fear and would increase belief in the "false narrative" that nuclear weapons are "the ultimate provider of security".
UN's nuke ban treaty now in force
Photo shows A missile lets out a plume of flame as it launches vertically
During the week-long talks, an Australian official will observe deliberations because the government is yet to sign up to the TPNW, despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese having expressed a willingness to do so before the 2022 election.
"The Australian government shares the ambition of States Parties to the TPNW of a world without nuclear weapons," a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) told the ABC.
"We continue to engage on the TPNW and monitor its progress, including in relation to the TPNW's universalisation, its interaction with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and the development of effective verification and enforcement architecture."
The DFAT spokesperson stressed that Australia continues to support the NPT and believes "the best pathway to advance nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament is to ensure that the NPT is acted upon and progressed".
"We continue to bolster the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime through practical, constructive efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, reduce the risk they would be used and build pathways towards their elimination."