SIPRI Yearbook 2020 launched

SIPRI Yearbook 2020 launched

Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-III – Security

In News:

• The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) launched the findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2020, which assesses the current state of armaments, disarmament and international security.

Key takeaways 

• Amount of nuclear weapons possessed  by 9 nuclear-armed nations together decreased from 13,865 (2020) to 13,400 (2019). 
• These nuclear-armed nations are: 
  • The United States
  • Russia
  • United Kingdom
  • France
  • China
  • India
  • Pakistan
  • Israel 
  • North Korea
• Despite an overall decrease, all nuclear weapon-possessing states continue to modernize their nuclear arsenals.
• Russia and the United States together possess more than 90% of global nuclear weapons.
• China and Pakistan possess more nuclear weapons than India. 
• In 2019, India had 130-140 warheads.
• China is developing a nuclear triad for the first time, made up of new land- and sea-based missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft.

Important value additions 

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

• It is an international institute based in Stockholm, Sweden. 
• It was established in 1966.
• It is dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. 
• It provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.