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Nuclear weapons
History of nuclear weapons Nuclear warfare Nuclear arms race Weapon design / testing Effects of nuclear explosions Delivery systems Nuclear espionage Proliferation / Arsenals
Nuclear-armed states
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Nations that are known or believed to possess nuclear weapons are sometimes referred to as the nuclear club. There are currently nine states that have successfully detonated nuclear weapons. Five are considered to be "nuclear weapons states", an internationally recognized status conferred by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In order of acquisition of nuclear weapons these are: the United States, Russia (successor state to the Soviet Union), the United Kingdom, France and China.

Since the formulation of the NPT, three non-signatory states have conducted nuclear tests: India, Pakistan, and North Korea. Israel is also widely believed to have nuclear weapons, though it has refused to confirm or deny this.^[1] The status of these nations is not formally recognized by international bodies as none of them are currently signatories to the NPT. South Africa has the unique status of a nation which developed nuclear weapons but has since disassembled its arsenal.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is currently working to resolve questions about an alleged Iranian secret development program.^[2]

The following is a list of nations that have admitted the possession of nuclear weapons, the approximate number of warheads under their control in 2002, and the year they tested their first weapon. This list is informally known in global politics as the "Nuclear Club". With the exception of Russia and the United States (which have subjected their nuclear forces to independent verification under various treaties) these figures are estimates, in some cases quite unreliable estimates. Also, these figures represent total warheads possessed, rather than deployed. In particular, under the SORT treaty thousands of Russian and U.S. nuclear warheads are in inactive stockpiles awaiting processing. The fissile material contained in the warheads can then be recycled for use in nuclear reactors.

From a high of 65,000 active weapons in 1985, there were about 20,000 active nuclear weapons in the world in 2002. Many of the "decommissioned" weapons were simply stored or partially dismantled, not destroyed.^[3] As of 2007, the total number was expected to continue to decline by 30%-50% over the next decade.

Country	Warheads active/total*	Year of first test
Five nuclear weapons states from the NPT
United States	5,163 / 9,938[4]	1945 ("Trinity")
Soviet Union (now  Russia)	5,830 / 16,000[5]	1949 ("RDS-1")
United Kingdom	<200[6]	1952 ("Hurricane")
France	350[7]	1960 ("Gerboise Bleue")
China	200[8]	1964 ("596")
Other known nuclear powers
India	70-120[9]	1974 ("Smiling Buddha")
Pakistan	30-80[10]	1998 ("Chagai-I")
North Korea	1-10[11]	2006 (The Beginning)[12]
Undeclared nuclear weapons states
Israel	75-200[13]	unknown or 1979 (See Vela Incident)

*All numbers are estimates from the Natural Resources Defense Council, published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, unless other references are given. If differences between active and total stockpile are known, they are given as two figures separated by a forward slash. If no specifics are known, only one figure is given. Stockpile number may not contain all intact warheads if a substantial amount of warheads are scheduled for but have not yet gone through dismantlement; not all "active" warheads are deployed at any given time. When a range of weapons is given (e.g., 0–10), it generally indicates that the estimate is being made on the amount of fissile material that has likely been produced, and the amount of fissile material needed per warhead depends on estimates of a country's proficiency at nuclear weapon design.

See also: Nuclear warfare#History

An early stage in the "Trinity" fireball, the first nuclear explosion.

U.S. and USSR/Russian nuclear weapons stockpiles, 1945–2006.

French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and the American nuclear-powered carrier USS Enterprise (left), each of which carry nuclear-capable fighter aircraft

•  United States

Main article: Nuclear weapons and the United States

The United States developed the first atomic weapons during World War II in co-operation with the United Kingdom and Canada, out of the fear that Nazi Germany would develop them first. It tested its first nuclear weapon in 1945 ("Trinity"), and remains the only country to have used nuclear weapons against another nation, during the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (see: Manhattan Project). It was the first nation to develop the hydrogen bomb, testing it ("Ivy Mike") in 1952 and a deployable version in 1954 ("Castle Bravo").^[14][15]

•  Soviet Union

Main article: Military history of the Soviet Union#The Cold War and nuclear weapons

The Soviet Union tested its first nuclear weapon ("Joe-1") in 1949, in a crash project developed partially with espionage obtained during and after World War II (see: Soviet atomic bomb project). The USSR was the first European nation to have developed and tested a nuclear weapon. The direct motivation for their weapons development was the development of a balance of power during the Cold War. It tested a primitive hydrogen bomb in 1953 ("Joe-4") and a megaton-range hydrogen bomb in 1955 ("RDS-37"). The Soviet Union also tested the most powerful explosive ever detonated by humans, ("Tsar Bomba"), with a theoretical yield of 100 megatons, intentionally reduced to 50 when detonated. After its dissolution in 1991, the Soviets' weapons entered officially into the possession of Russia.^[16]

See also: Russia and weapons of mass destruction#Nuclear weapons

•  United Kingdom

Main article: Nuclear weapons and the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom tested its first nuclear weapon ("Hurricane") in 1952, drawing largely on data gained while collaborating with the United States during the Manhattan Project. The UK was the second European nation to have developed and tested a nuclear weapon. Its program was motivated to have an independent deterrent against the USSR, while also remaining relevant in Cold War Europe. It tested its first hydrogen bomb in 1957.^[17][18] It maintains the Trident ballistic missile fleet of four 'Vanguard' class nuclear-powered submarines. The British government controversially announced a replacement to the current Trident system to take place over the next decade (see British replacement of the Trident system).

•  France

Main article: Nuclear weapons and France

France tested its first nuclear weapon in 1960 ("Gerboise Bleue"), based mostly on its own research. It was motivated by the Suez Crisis diplomatic tension vis-à-vis both the USSR and the Free World allies United States and United Kingdom. It was also relevant to retain great power status, along side the United Kingdom, during the post-colonial Cold War (see: Force de frappe). France tested its first hydrogen bomb in 1968 ("Opération Canopus"). After the Cold War, France has disarmed 175 warheads with the reduction and modernization of its arsenal that has now evolved to a dual system based on submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SSBN) and medium-range air-to-surface missiles (Rafale fighter-bombers). However new nuclear weapons are in development and reformed nuclear squadrons were trained during Enduring Freedom operation in Afghanistan. In January 2006, President Jacques Chirac stated a terrorist act or the use of weapons of mass destruction against France would result in a nuclear counterattack.^[19]

•  China

Main article: China and weapons of mass destruction#Nuclear weapons

China tested its first nuclear weapon in 1964. China was the first Asian nation to have developed and tested a nuclear weapon. The weapon was developed as a deterrent against both the United States and the USSR. It tested its first hydrogen bomb in 1967 at Lop Nur.^[20] The country is currently thought to have had a stockpile of around 130 warheads.^[21]

An Indian Agni-II intermediate range ballistic missile displayed at the Republic Day Parade 2004. (Photo: Antônio Milena/ABr)

•  India

Main article: India and weapons of mass destruction

India has never been a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It tested a "peaceful nuclear device", as it was described by the Indian government, in 1974 ("Smiling Buddha"), the first test developed after the creation of the NPT, and created new questions about how civilian nuclear technology could be diverted secretly to weapons purposes (dual-use technology). India's secret development caused great concern and anger particularly from nations that had supplied it nuclear reactors for peaceful and power generating needs such as Canada. It appears to have been primarily motivated as a deterrent against China and arch rival Pakistan as well as attempt to project India as regional power. It tested weaponized nuclear warheads in 1998 ("Operation Shakti"), including a thermonuclear device.^[22] In July 2005, it was officially recognized by the United States as "a responsible state with advanced nuclear technology" and agreed to full nuclear cooperation between the two nations.^[23] This is seen as a tacit entry into the nuclear club of the above nations. In March 2006, a civil nuclear cooperation deal was signed between President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This deal, ratified by the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate in December 2006 would pave the path for the United States and other members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group to sell civilian nuclear technology to India. As of September 2005, India was estimated to have had a stockpile of around 70-120 warheads.^[24]

Pakistan's nuclear explosion test in the rocks of Chagai on 28th May, 1998

•  Pakistan

Main article: Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction

Pakistan is not a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty either. Pakistan covertly developed nuclear weapons over many decades, beginning in the late 1970s. Pakistan first delved into nuclear power after the establishment of its first nuclear power plant near Karachi with equipment and materials supplied mainly by western nations in the early 1970s. Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto promised in 1965 that if India built nuclear weapons Pakistan would too, "even if we have to eat grass." It is nearly certain that China supplied an old Chinese (Lop Nor 3/4 vintage) weapons design and critical ring magnets to Pakistan in the early 1980s, and enabled Pakistan to have a rudimentary nuclear weapons capability by the end of the 1980s. The United States continued to certify that Pakistan did not possess nuclear weapons until 1990, when sanctions were imposed under the Pressler Amendment, requiring a cutoff of U.S. economic and military assistance to Pakistan.^[25] In 1998, Pakistan conducted its first nuclear tests at the Chagai Hills, in response to the tests conducted by India a few weeks before.

•  North Korea

Main article: North Korea and weapons of mass destruction

North Korea was a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but announced a withdrawal on January 10, 2003 after the United States accused it of having a secret uranium enrichment program and cut off energy assistance under the 1994 Agreed Framework. In February 2005 they claimed to possess functional nuclear weapons, though their lack of a test at the time led many experts to doubt the claim. However, in October 2006, North Korea stated that due to growing intimidation by the USA, it would conduct a nuclear test to confirm its nuclear status. North Korea reported a successful nuclear test on October 9, 2006 (see 2006 North Korean nuclear test). Most U.S. intelligence officials believe that North Korea did, in fact, test a nuclear device due to radioactive isotopes detected by U.S. aircraft; however, most agree that the test was probably only partially successful, having less than a kiloton in yield.^[26]

On October 5, 1986, the British newspaper The Sunday Times ran Mordechai Vanunu's story on its front page under the headline: "Revealed — the secrets of Israel's nuclear arsenal."

•  Israel

Main article: Israel and nuclear weapons

Israel is not a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and refuses to officially confirm or deny having a nuclear arsenal, or to having developed nuclear weapons, or even to having a nuclear weapons program. Israel has pledged not to be the first country to introduce nuclear weapons into the region, but is also pursuing a policy of strategic ambiguity with regard to their possession. In the late 1960s, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yitzhak Rabin informed the United States State Department, that its understanding of "introducing" such weapons meant that they would be tested and publicly declared, while merely possessing the weapons did not constitute "introducing" them.^[27] Although Israel claims that the Negev Nuclear Research Center near Dimona is a "research reactor", or, as was originally claimed, a "textile factory," no scientific reports based on work done there have ever been published. Extensive information about the program in Dimona was also disclosed by technician Mordechai Vanunu in 1986.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Federation of American Scientists, Israel possesses around 75–200 weapons.^[28] Imagery analysts can identify weapon bunkers, mobile missile launchers, and launch sites in satellite photographs. Israel may have tested a nuclear weapon along with South Africa in 1979, but this has never been confirmed (see Vela Incident).

See also: Israel and weapons of mass destruction

Below are countries which have been accused by a number of governments and intergovernmental agencies of currently attempting to develop nuclear weapons technology.

•  Iran

Main article: Iran and weapons of mass destruction#Nuclear weapons

A U.S. National Intelligence Estimate of December 3, 2007 judged that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in fall 2003. The estimate further judged that US intelligence did not know whether Iran intended "to develop nuclear weapons," but that "Iran probably would be technically capable of producing enough HEU [highly enriched uranium] for a weapon sometime during the 2010-2015 time frame" if it decides to do so.^[29] Iran's representative to the UN has argued that Iran categorically rejects the development of nuclear weapons and Iran is guaranteed the right to peaceful nuclear technology under the NPT.^[30] The IAEA has called upon Iran to "accelerate its cooperation with the Agency" to resolve the issue.^[2]

•  Syria

Main article: Syria and weapons of mass destruction#Nuclear weapons

Syria is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and had an open and disclosed interest in research reactors for scientific purposes. On September 6, 2007, Israel bombed a previously unknown Syrian facility which has been claimed was the site of an undisclosed, North Korean-built Syrian nuclear facility of some sort, allegedly part of a clandestine nuclear program. There has been no definitive statement as to the identity of the facility, though it has been speculated to have been a reactor or a plutonium-processing facility.^[31][32][33]

Nuclear weapons have been present in many nations, often as staging grounds under control of other powers. However, in only a few instances have nations given up nuclear weapons after being in control of them; in most cases this has been because of special political circumstances. The fall of the USSR, for example, left several former Soviet-bloc countries in possession of nuclear weapons.

•  South Africa

Main article: South Africa and weapons of mass destruction

South Africa produced six nuclear weapons in the 1980s, but disassembled them in the early 1990s. In 1979 there was a putative detection of a clandestine nuclear test in the Indian Ocean, and it has long been speculated that it was potentially a test by South Africa, perhaps in collaboration with Israel, though this has never been confirmed (see Vela Incident). South Africa signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1991.^[34]

•  Belarus had 81 single warhead missiles stationed on its territory after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. They were all transferred to Russia by 1996. Belarus has signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.^[35]

•  Kazakhstan inherited 1,400 nuclear weapons from the Soviet Union, and transferred them all to Russia by 1995. Kazakhstan has signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.^[36]

•  Ukraine has signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Ukraine inherited about 5,000 nuclear weapons when it became independent from the USSR in 1991, making its nuclear arsenal the third-largest in the world.^[37] By 1996, Ukraine had voluntarily disposed of all nuclear weapons within its territory, transferring them to Russia.^[38]

Weapons of mass destruction
By type
Biological warfare Chemical warfare Nuclear weapons Radiological weapons
By country
Albania	Algeria
Argentina	Australia
Brazil	Canada
PR China	France
Germany	India
Iran	Iraq
Israel	Japan
Netherlands	North Korea
Pakistan	Poland
Russia	South Africa
Syria	Taiwan (ROC)
United Kingdom	United States
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• Nuclear disarmament
• Nuclear proliferation
• Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
• Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
• Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone

• "Global Nuclear Stockpiles, 1945–2006" from Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
• Nuclear Threat Initiative
• Globalsecurity.org — World Special Weapons Guide
• The Nuclear Weapon Archive
• U.S. Nuclear Weapons in Europe: A review of post-Cold War policy, force levels, and war planning NRDC, February 2005
• Pakistani Nuclear Development
• Online NewsHour with Jim Lehrer:Tracking Nuclear Proliferation