Swedish think-tank SIPRI warns prospects for nuclear disarmament are weak

A Swedish think-tank on Tuesday warned that prospects appear weak for a reduction in global nuclear arms arsenals in the coming years.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, or SIPRI, said eight nations still possessed more than 20,500 nuclear weapons by the end of 2010, including 5,000 ready for use — 2,000 fewer than in 2009.

Although the U.S. and Russia signed the New START treaty in April last year which will limit their strategic nuclear warheads from 2,200 to 1,550, SIPRI says the cuts are "modest" and points out that both countries are either deploying new nuclear weapon delivery systems or have announced plans to do so.

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