The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) recently launched the findings of its Yearbook 2022, assessing the current status of armaments, disarmament and international security. This report provides valuable insights about global military affairs, especially related to nuclear armament and arms trade. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of this report.
Understanding SIPRI: An Overview
The SIPRI is an independent global institute dedicated to conflict research, armaments, arms control and disarmament studies. Established in 1966 in Stockholm, SIPRI offers data, analysis and recommendations drawn from open sources to the policy makers, researchers, media and the public interested in international security issues.
Focusing on Nuclear Armaments: Key Highlights
According to the SIPRI’s report, the nine nuclear-armed countries – United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea – continue to modernize their nuclear arsenals. Despite a minor decrease in the total number of nuclear weapons between January 2021 and January 2022, it is expected that this number will see an increase over the next decade.
For example, India reportedly had 160 nuclear warheads as of January 2022, showing an increase from 156 in the same month of the previous year. Likewise, China maintained 350 nuclear warheads during the same period. Interestingly, Russia and USA collectively make up more than 90% of the world’s total nuclear weapons.
Major Importers and Suppliers of Arms
The SIPRI identified 164 states as major arms importers in 2016-20. On a country basis, Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and China topped the list accounting for 36% of total arms imports. From a regional perspective, Asia and Oceania received 42% of global arms supplies, followed by the Middle East with 33%.
Speaking of suppliers, the five biggest arms producers during the same period were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China. These nations were responsible for 76% of total major arms exports.
Landmarks in Nuclear Diplomacy
The year 2021 marked significant progress in nuclear diplomacy. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) came into effect in January 2021 after receiving the required 50 ratifications. Moreover, the New START, a US-Russian arms control agreement, was extended for five more years. Notably, talks began on USA rejoining and Iran returning to compliance with the Iran nuclear deal, also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Roadblocks in Nuclear Diplomacy
Despite these advancements, many challenges persist in nuclear diplomacy. All P5 members (nuclear-armed permanent members of the United Nations Security Council), despite their commitment to non-proliferation agreements and the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, continue to expand or modernize their nuclear arsenals. Furthermore, in the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, Russia issued threats regarding possible nuclear weapon use. As a result, bilateral strategic stability talks between Russia and USA have hit a roadblock. Also, other nuclear-armed countries aren’t currently pursuing arms control negotiations. The opposition from UNSC’s P5 members against TPNW and JCPOA also remains a significant obstacle in achieving global disarmament.
