World Bulletin / News Desk
A Stockholm think tank said on Monday that the reduction of the world's nuclear arms is slowing because the US and Russia lack 'real commitment' in giving up their bombs.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) stated in its annual report that the number of nuclear weapons in the world continues to decline, but at a slower pace than in previous years.
"Over the past five years there has been a steady decline in the overall number of nuclear warheads in the world," the think tank said. "The decrease is due mainly to Russia and the US, which together still account for more than 93 percent of all nuclear weapons."
The number of nuclear warheads in the world has dropped by 930 from 2013 to16,300 this year, whereas in 2011 the figure fell by 2,070 to 20,530 compared with a year earlier.
While the two main nuclear powers, Russia and The United States of America, keep reducing their arsenals, other nuclear states including Britain and France remained stable in this year's report with 225 and 300 warheads, respectively.
"China, India and Pakistan are the only nuclear weapon states that are expanding their nuclear arsenals, while Israel appears to be waiting to see how the situation in Iran develops," SIPRI said.
According to the report, China held 250 warheads, India between 90 and 110, Pakistan between 100 and 120 and Israel 80, at the beginning of 2014.
Güncelleme Tarihi: 16 Haziran 2014, 15:32