As of 2023, the United Kingdom has a nuclear warhead stockpile of approximately 225 missiles, the fewest number of warheads since the early 1960s. During this time period, the UK had the highest number of nuclear warheads between 1973 and 1981, when it had 500.
Nuclear warhead stockpile of the United Kingdom from 1953 to 2024
Characteristic
Number of nuclear warheads
2024
225
2023
225
2022
225
2021
225
2020
225
2019
225
2018
225
2017
225
2016
225
2015
225
2014
225
2013
225
2012
225
2011
225
2010
225
2009
245
2008
245
2007
245
2006
245
2005
280
2004
280
2003
280
2002
280
2001
280
2000
280
1999
240
1998
240
1997
203
1996
203
1995
234
1994
250
1993
250
1992
250
1991
350
1990
350
1989
350
1988
350
1987
350
1986
350
1985
350
1984
350
1983
380
1982
385
1981
500
1980
500
1979
500
1978
500
1977
500
1976
500
1975
500
1974
500
1973
500
1972
423
1971
412
1970
375
1969
306
1968
317
1967
355
1966
281
1965
271
1964
271
1963
256
1962
211
1961
155
1960
105
1959
78
1958
60
1957
58
1956
50
1955
10
1954
5
1953
1
Zoomable Statistic: Select the range in the chart you want to zoom in on.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Federation of American Scientists. (March 29, 2024). Nuclear warhead stockpile of the United Kingdom from 1953 to 2024 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1294374/uk-nuclear-warheads/
Federation of American Scientists. "Nuclear warhead stockpile of the United Kingdom from 1953 to 2024." Chart. March 29, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1294374/uk-nuclear-warheads/
Federation of American Scientists. (2024). Nuclear warhead stockpile of the United Kingdom from 1953 to 2024. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1294374/uk-nuclear-warheads/
Federation of American Scientists. "Nuclear Warhead Stockpile of The United Kingdom from 1953 to 2024." Statista, Statista Inc., 29 Mar 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1294374/uk-nuclear-warheads/
Federation of American Scientists, Nuclear warhead stockpile of the United Kingdom from 1953 to 2024 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1294374/uk-nuclear-warheads/ (last visited November 21, 2024)
Nuclear warhead stockpile of the United Kingdom from 1953 to 2024 [Graph], Federation of American Scientists, March 29, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1294374/uk-nuclear-warheads/