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The prohibition on possession and stockpiling

The Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor collaborates with the Nuclear Information Project of the Federation of American Scientists to estimate and analyse global nuclear forces. At the beginning of 2024, the nine nuclear- armed states had a combined inventory of approximately 12,347 nuclear warheads, which is, of course, incompatible with the TPNW’s prohibition on possession and stockpiling of nuclear weapons.

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Senior Airman Jacob Deas, left, and Airman 1st Class Jonathan Marrs, right, secure the titanium shroud at the top of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile on 24 August 2023, at the Bravo 9 silo at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, United States. After the shroud is secured, it is lifted off, revealing the black cone-shaped nuclear warhead inside. Photo: John Turner/U.S. Air Force via AP/NTB

The world’s nuclear warhead inventories at the beginning of 2024 are summarised in the table and figure below. It is estimated that 9,585 of the world’s total inventory of warheads are available for use by the military, with an estimated collective yield equivalent to more than 135,000 Hiroshima bombs. The remaining 2,762 warheads had previously been retired and are awaiting dismantlement in Russia and the United States. For more information, see the 2023 edition of the Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor.

Table D

The world's nuclear warhead inventories at the beginning of 2024

Figure 12
Article 1(1)(a) - INTERPRETATION

Each State Party undertakes never under any circumstances to: [...] possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

  • The prohibition on possession of any nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device under Article 1(1)(a) makes it illegal to have a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device.
  • Possession does not require ownership.
  • One nuclear weapon or other form of nuclear explosive device is sufficient to constitute a stockpile.
  • The prohibition on possession covers activities such as maintenance and deployment of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. Indirectly, it also acts to render nuclear deterrence practices unlawful.