The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) revealed in a new report that the United States spent more on nuclear weapons in 2025 than all other nuclear-armed states combined. According to the report, China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, the UK, and the United States spent a total of $118.8 billion on nuclear arms. The number is 19% greater than in 2024.
The United States had the greatest increase in nuclear weapon expenditures, up 22% from 2024. China increased 7%, followed by the UK, with a 17% increase, and Russia, with a 6% increase.
“This exorbitant spending comes at a time in which countries are significantly scaling back their investments in the global commons,” the report states.
Specifically discussing the United States, the report says that the nation has the “most companies involved in its nuclear arsenal. Nineteen companies have “outstanding contracts worth at least $375 billion for work related to nuclear weapons.” These include Amentum, BAE Systems, Bechtel, Boeing, BWX Technologies, Fluor, General Dynamics, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Honeywell International, L3 Harris, Leidos, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Peraton, Rolls Royce, Raetheon, SPAInc, and Textron.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 asks Congress for $1.5 trillion in defense spending. “President Trump is committed to rebuilding our military to secure peace through strength,” a White House summary of the military portion of the budget reads. “The President’s historic FY 2027 Budget fully funds the Golden Dome to protect the homeland, invests in our critical minerals and munitions, and provides a pay raise for military personnel.”
