Nuclear Information Project
The Nuclear Information Project provides the public with reliable information about the status and trends of the nuclear weapons arsenals of the world’s nuclear-armed countries.
The Nuclear Information Project, called “one of the most widely sourced resources for nuclear warhead counts” by the Washington Post, uses open sources such as official documents, testimonies, previously undisclosed information obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, as well as independent analysis of commercial satellite imagery as the basis for developing the best available unclassified estimates of the status and trends of nuclear weapons worldwide.
The Project also conducts analysis of the role of nuclear weapons and provides recommendations for responsibly reducing the numbers and role of nuclear weapons.
The research is mainly published on the Strategic Security Blog, in the Nuclear Notebook in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the World Nuclear Forces overview in the SIPRI Yearbook, as well as in magazines. As a primary source for reliable information on nuclear weapons, the Project is a frequent advisor to governments, parliamentarians, the news media, institutes, and non-governmental organizations.
The Nuclear Information Project is directed by Hans M. Kristensen in collaboration with Matt Korda, Eliana Johns, and Mackenzie Knight (and previously Robert S. Norris). The Project also collaborates with other experts and organizations.
This work builds on the Nuclear Weapons Databook project that Thomas Cochran and Robert Norris managed at NRDC for many years. Many of their publications are available here at FAS via the Archives page.
The Nuclear Information Project is currently supported with generous contributions from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the New-Land Foundation, Ploughshares, the Prospect Hill Foundation, Longview Philanthropy, the Future of Life Institute, and individual donors.
We could not imagine a nuclear weapons field without the Federation of American Scientists.
– Ploughshares
The Department of Defense has finally released the 2024 version of the China Military Power Report.
In early November 2024, the United States released a report describing the fourth revision to its nuclear employment strategy since the end of the Cold War and the third since 2013.
This missile launch provides an opportunity to further examine China’s nuclear posture and activities, including the type of missile, how it fits into China’s nuclear modernization, and where it was launched from.
Known as Steadfast Noon, the two-week long exercise involves more than 60 aircraft from 13 countries and more than 2,000 personnel.
Despite progress in reducing nuclear weapon arsenals since the Cold War, the world’s combined inventory of nuclear warheads remains at a very high level.
The FAS Nuclear Notebook is one of the most widely sourced reference materials worldwide for reliable information about the status of nuclear weapons.
For decades, the Federation of American Scientists website has hosted vast and valuable archives of data relating to nuclear weapons.
To empower new voices to start their career in nuclear weapons studies, we’re pairing emerging leaders with a senior academic or policy expert to co-author a research project that provides a creative perspective on nuclear deterrence policy.
This work builds on the Nuclear Weapons Databook project that Thomas Cochran and Robert Norris managed at NRDC for many years. Many of their publications are available here at FAS via the Cochran Archive and the Norris Archive.
The Nuclear Information Project is currently supported with generous contributions from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, the New-Land Foundation, Ploughshares Fund, the Prospect Hill Foundation, Longview Philanthropy, the Future of Life Institute, and individual donors.
A quick overview with the most up-to-date information on the world’s nuclear weapons arsenals.
Read the latest stories and analyses of current nuclear weapons-related issues, from new discoveries to treaty retrospections.
Dive into the world-famous Nuclear Notebook series with detailed information about each nuclear armed state.
Looking for a project publication? See the chronology with links going back more than a decade.
Our research is used by others around the globe. Here’s just a glimpse of the news stories based on our research.
Follow Hans M. Kristensen, Matt Korda, Eliana Johns, and Mackenzie Knight on Twitter for real-time analysis and more.
Nuclear Policy and strategy, De-alerting,
Nuclear Weapons
Open Source Data Collection,
Global Nuclear Weapons Arsenals,
Missile Defence,
Nuclear-Climate Nexus
Status of Worldwide Nuclear Arsenals,
North Korea
Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament,
Nuclear Policy and Doctrine
Women, Peace and Security