How many states have nuclear weapons? Nuclear powers of the world

IN recent months North Korea and the United States are actively exchanging threats to destroy each other. Since both countries have nuclear arsenals, the world is closely monitoring the situation. On the Day of Fight for complete liquidation nuclear weapons, we decided to remind who has them and in what quantities. Today, it is officially known that eight countries that form the so-called Nuclear Club have such weapons.

Who exactly has nuclear weapons?

The first and only state to use nuclear weapon against another country is USA. In August 1945, during World War II, the United States dropped nuclear bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The attack killed more than 200 thousand people.

Nuclear mushroom over Hiroshima (left) and Nagasaki (right). Source: wikipedia.org

Year of first test: 1945

Nuclear warheads: submarines, ballistic missiles and bombers

Number of warheads: 6800, including 1800 deployed (ready for use)

Russia has the greatest nuclear stockpile. After the collapse of the Union, Russia became the only heir to the nuclear arsenal.

Year of first test: 1949

Nuclear charge carriers: submarines, missile systems, heavy bombers, in the future - nuclear trains

Number of warheads: 7,000, including 1,950 deployed (ready for use)

Great Britain is the only country that has not conducted a single test on its territory. The country has 4 submarines with nuclear warheads; other types of troops were disbanded by 1998.

Year of first test: 1952

Nuclear charge carriers: submarines

Number of warheads: 215, including 120 deployed (ready for use)

France conducted ground tests of a nuclear charge in Algeria, where it built a test site for this.

Year of first test: 1960

Nuclear charge carriers: submarines and fighter-bombers

Number of warheads: 300, including 280 deployed (ready for use)

China tests weapons only on its territory. China has pledged not to be the first to use nuclear weapons. China in the transfer of technology for the production of nuclear weapons to Pakistan.

Year of first test: 1964

Nuclear charge carriers: ballistic launch vehicles, submarines and strategic bombers

Number of warheads: 270 (in reserve)

India announced the possession of nuclear weapons in 1998. In the Indian Air Force, nuclear weapons carriers can be French and Russian tactical fighters.

Year of first test: 1974

Nuclear charge carriers: short, medium and extended range missiles

Number of warheads: 120−130 (in reserve)

Pakistan tested its weapons in response to Indian actions. The reaction to the emergence of nuclear weapons in the country was global sanctions. Recently ex-president Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf that Pakistan considered launching a nuclear strike on India in 2002. Bombs can be delivered by fighter-bombers.

Year of first test: 1998

Number of warheads: 130−140 (in reserve)

DPRK announced the development of nuclear weapons in 2005, and conducted its first test in 2006. In 2012, the country declared itself a nuclear power and made corresponding amendments to the Constitution. IN Lately North Korea conducts a lot of tests - the country has intercontinental ballistic missiles and threatens the United States nuclear strike on the American island of Guam, which is located 4 thousand km from the DPRK.

Year of first test: 2006

Nuclear charge carriers: nuclear bombs and missiles

Number of warheads: 10−20 (in reserve)

These 8 countries openly declare the presence of weapons, as well as the tests being carried out. The so-called “old” nuclear powers (USA, Russia, UK, France and China) signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, while the “young” nuclear powers - India and Pakistan refused to sign the document. North Korea first ratified the agreement and then withdrew its signature.

Who can develop nuclear weapons now?

The main "suspect" is Israel. Experts believe Israel has nuclear weapons own production from the late 1960s - early 1970s. There were also opinions that the country conducted joint tests with South Africa. According to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute, Israel has about 80 nuclear warheads as of 2017. The country can use fighter-bombers and submarines to deliver nuclear weapons.

Suspicions that Iraq develops weapons mass destruction, was one of the reasons for the invasion of the country by American and British troops (recall the famous speech of US Secretary of State Colin Powell at the UN in 2003, in which he stated that Iraq was working on programs to create biological and chemical weapons and possesses two of the three necessary components for the production of nuclear weapons. — Approx. TUT.BY). Later, the US and UK admitted that there were reasons for the invasion in 2003.

Was under international sanctions for 10 years Iran due to the resumption of the uranium enrichment program in the country under President Ahmadinejad. In 2015, Iran and six international mediators concluded a so-called “ nuclear deal- were removed, and Iran pledged to limit its nuclear activities to only “peaceful atoms”, placing it under international control. With Donald Trump coming to power in the United States, Iran was reintroduced. Tehran, meanwhile, began.

Myanmar V last years also suspected of attempting to create nuclear weapons; it was reported that technology was exported to the country by North Korea. According to experts, Myanmar lacks the technical and financial capabilities to develop weapons.

IN different years many states were suspected of seeking or capable of creating nuclear weapons - Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Libya, Mexico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Taiwan, Sweden. But the transition from a peaceful atom to a non-peaceful one either was not proven, or the countries curtailed their programs.

Which countries allowed to store nuclear bombs and which refused?

Some European countries store US warheads. According to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) in 2016, 150-200 US nuclear bombs are stored in underground storage facilities in Europe and Turkey. Countries have aircraft capable of delivering charges to intended targets.

Bombs are stored at air bases in Germany(Büchel, more than 20 pieces), Italy(Aviano and Gedi, 70−110 pieces), Belgium(Kleine Brogel, 10−20 pieces), the Netherlands(Volkel, 10−20 pieces) and Turkey(Incirlik, 50−90 pieces).

In 2015, it was reported that the Americans would deploy the latest B61-12 atomic bombs at a base in Germany, and American instructors were training Polish and Baltic Air Force pilots to operate these nuclear weapons.

The United States recently announced that it was negotiating the deployment of its nuclear weapons, where they were stored until 1991.

Four countries voluntarily renounced nuclear weapons on their territory, including Belarus.

After the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine and Kazakhstan were in third and fourth place in the world in terms of the number of nuclear arsenals in the world. The countries agreed to the withdrawal of weapons to Russia under international security guarantees. Kazakhstan transferred strategic bombers to Russia, and sold uranium to the United States. In 2008, the country's President Nursultan Nazarbayev was nominated for Nobel Prize world for its contribution to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Ukraine in recent years there has been talk of restoring the country's nuclear status. In 2016, the Verkhovna Rada proposed repealing the law “On Ukraine’s accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.” Previously Secretary of the Council national security Ukraine's Alexander Turchynov stated that Kyiv is ready to use available resources to create effective weapons.

IN Belarus ended in November 1996. Subsequently, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko more than once called this decision the most serious mistake. In his opinion, “if there were nuclear weapons left in the country, they would be talking to us differently now.”

South Africa is the only country that independently produced nuclear weapons, and after the fall of the apartheid regime voluntarily abandoned them.

Who curtailed their nuclear programs

A number of countries voluntarily, and some under pressure, either curtailed or abandoned their nuclear program at the planning stage. For example, Australia in the 1960s, after providing its territory for nuclear testing, Great Britain decided to build reactors and build a uranium enrichment plant. However, after internal political debates, the program was curtailed.

Brazil after unsuccessful cooperation with Germany in the field of nuclear weapons development in the 1970–90s, it conducted a “parallel” nuclear program outside the control of the IAEA. Work was carried out on the extraction of uranium, as well as on its enrichment, albeit at the laboratory level. In the 1990s and 2000s, Brazil recognized the existence of such a program, and it was later closed. The country now has nuclear technology, which, if a political decision is made, will allow it to quickly begin developing weapons.

Argentina began its development in the wake of rivalry with Brazil. The program received its greatest boost in the 1970s when the military came to power, but by the 1990s the administration had changed to a civilian one. When the program was terminated, experts estimated that about a year of work remained to achieve the technological potential of creating nuclear weapons. As a result, in 1991, Argentina and Brazil signed an agreement on the use of nuclear energy exclusively for peaceful purposes.

Libya under Muammar Gaddafi after unsuccessful attempts to acquire ready weapon China and Pakistan decided on their own nuclear programs. In the 1990s, Libya was able to purchase 20 centrifuges for uranium enrichment, but a lack of technology and qualified personnel prevented the creation of nuclear weapons. In 2003, after negotiations with the UK and the US, Libya curtailed its weapons program mass destruction.

Egypt abandoned the nuclear program after the accident Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Taiwan carried out his developments for 25 years. In 1976, under pressure from the IAEA and the United States, it officially abandoned the program and dismantled the plutonium separation facility. However, he later resumed nuclear research in secret. In 1987, one of the leaders of the Zhongshan Institute of Science and Technology fled to the United States and spoke about the program. As a result, work was stopped.

In 1957 Switzerland created a Commission to study the possibility of possessing nuclear weapons, which came to the conclusion that weapons were necessary. Options were considered for purchasing weapons from the USA, Great Britain or the USSR, as well as developing them with France and Sweden. ABOUT However, by the end of the 1960s the situation in Europe had calmed down, and Switzerland signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Then for some time the country supplied nuclear technologies abroad.

Sweden has been actively developing since 1946. Her distinctive feature was the creation of nuclear infrastructure, the country's leadership was focused on the implementation of the concept of a closed nuclear fuel cycle. As a result, by the end of the 1960s, Sweden was ready for mass production of nuclear warheads. In the 1970s, the nuclear program was closed because... the authorities decided that the country would not be able to cope with simultaneous development modern species conventional weapons and the creation of a nuclear arsenal.

South Korea began its development in the late 1950s. In 1973, the Weapons Research Committee developed a 6-10 year plan to develop nuclear weapons. Negotiations were conducted with France on the construction of a plant for the radiochemical reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuel and the separation of plutonium. However, France refused to cooperate. In 1975, South Korea ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The United States promised to provide the country with a “nuclear umbrella.” After American President Carter announced his intention to withdraw troops from Korea, the country secretly resumed its nuclear program. The work continued until 2004, when it became public knowledge. South Korea has curtailed its program, but today the country is capable of short time carry out the development of nuclear weapons.

In recent months, North Korea and the United States have been actively exchanging threats to destroy each other. Since both countries have nuclear arsenals, the world is closely monitoring the situation. On the Day of the Struggle for the Complete Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, we decided to remind you who has them and in what quantities. Today, it is officially known that eight countries that form the so-called Nuclear Club have such weapons.

Who exactly has nuclear weapons?

The first and only state to use nuclear weapons against another country is USA. In August 1945, during World War II, the United States dropped nuclear bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The attack killed more than 200 thousand people.

Year of first test: 1945

Nuclear warheads: submarines, ballistic missiles and bombers

Number of warheads: 6800, including 1800 deployed (ready for use)

Russia has the largest nuclear stockpile. After the collapse of the Union, Russia became the only heir to the nuclear arsenal.

Year of first test: 1949

Nuclear charge carriers: submarines, missile systems, heavy bombers, and in the future - nuclear trains

Number of warheads: 7,000, including 1,950 deployed (ready for use)

Great Britain is the only country that has not conducted a single test on its territory. The country has 4 submarines with nuclear warheads; other types of troops were disbanded by 1998.

Year of first test: 1952

Nuclear charge carriers: submarines

Number of warheads: 215, including 120 deployed (ready for use)

France conducted ground tests of a nuclear charge in Algeria, where it built a test site for this.

Year of first test: 1960

Nuclear charge carriers: submarines and fighter-bombers

Number of warheads: 300, including 280 deployed (ready for use)

China tests weapons only on its territory. China has pledged not to be the first to use nuclear weapons. China was suspected of transferring nuclear weapons technology to Pakistan.

Year of first test: 1964

Nuclear charge carriers: ballistic launch vehicles, submarines and strategic bombers

Number of warheads: 270 (in reserve)

India announced the possession of nuclear weapons in 1998. In the Indian Air Force, nuclear weapons carriers can be French and Russian tactical fighters.

Year of first test: 1974

Nuclear charge carriers: short, medium and extended range missiles

Number of warheads: 120−130 (in reserve)

Pakistan tested its weapons in response to Indian actions. The reaction to the emergence of nuclear weapons in the country was global sanctions. Recently, former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said that Pakistan considered launching a nuclear attack on India in 2002. Bombs can be delivered by fighter-bombers.

Year of first test: 1998

Number of warheads: 130−140 (in reserve)

DPRK announced the development of nuclear weapons in 2005, and conducted its first test in 2006. In 2012, the country declared itself a nuclear power and made corresponding amendments to the Constitution. Recently, the DPRK has been conducting a lot of tests - the country launches intercontinental ballistic missiles and threatens the United States with a nuclear strike on the American island of Guam, which is located 4 thousand km from the DPRK.

Year of first test: 2006

Nuclear charge carriers: nuclear bombs and missiles

Number of warheads: 10−20 (in reserve)

These 8 countries openly declare the presence of weapons, as well as the tests being carried out. The so-called “old” nuclear powers (USA, Russia, UK, France and China) signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, while the “young” nuclear powers - India and Pakistan refused to sign the document. North Korea first ratified the agreement and then withdrew its signature.

Who can develop nuclear weapons now?

The main "suspect" is Israel. Experts believe that Israel has owned nuclear weapons of its own production since the late 1960s and early 1970s. There were also opinions that the country conducted joint tests with South Africa. According to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute, Israel has about 80 nuclear warheads as of 2017. The country can use fighter-bombers and submarines to deliver nuclear weapons.

Suspicions that Iraq is developing weapons of mass destruction, was one of the reasons for the invasion of the country by American and British troops (recall the famous speech of US Secretary of State Colin Powell at the UN in 2003, in which he stated that Iraq was working on programs to create biological and chemical weapons and possessed two of three necessary components for the production of nuclear weapons. - Note TUT.BY). Later, the US and UK admitted that there were insufficient grounds for the 2003 invasion.

Was under international sanctions for 10 years Iran due to the resumption of the uranium enrichment program in the country under President Ahmadinejad. In 2015, Iran and six international mediators concluded the so-called “nuclear deal” - sanctions were lifted, and Iran pledged to limit its nuclear activities to “peaceful atoms” only, placing them under international control. With Donald Trump coming to power in the United States, sanctions were again introduced against Iran. Tehran, meanwhile, began testing ballistic missiles.

Myanmar in recent years, it has also been suspected of attempting to create nuclear weapons; it was reported that technology was exported to the country by North Korea. According to experts, Myanmar lacks the technical and financial capabilities to develop weapons.

Over the years, many states were suspected of seeking or capable of creating nuclear weapons - Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Libya, Mexico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Taiwan, Sweden. But the transition from a peaceful atom to a non-peaceful one either was not proven, or the countries curtailed their programs.

Which countries allowed to store nuclear bombs and which refused?

Some European countries store US warheads. According to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) in 2016, 150-200 US nuclear bombs are stored in underground storage facilities in Europe and Turkey. Countries have aircraft capable of delivering charges to intended targets.

Bombs are stored at air bases in Germany(Büchel, more than 20 pieces), Italy(Aviano and Gedi, 70−110 pieces), Belgium(Kleine Brogel, 10−20 pieces), the Netherlands(Volkel, 10−20 pieces) and Turkey(Incirlik, 50−90 pieces).

In 2015, it was reported that the Americans would deploy the latest B61-12 atomic bombs at a base in Germany, and American instructors were training Polish and Baltic Air Force pilots to operate these nuclear weapons.

The United States recently announced that it was negotiating the deployment of its nuclear weapons in South Korea, where they were stored until 1991.

Four countries voluntarily renounced nuclear weapons on their territory, including Belarus.

After the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine and Kazakhstan were in third and fourth place in the world in terms of the number of nuclear arsenals in the world. The countries agreed to the withdrawal of weapons to Russia under international security guarantees. Kazakhstan transferred strategic bombers to Russia, and sold uranium to the United States. In 2008, the country's President Nursultan Nazarbayev was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Ukraine in recent years there has been talk of restoring the country's nuclear status. In 2016, the Verkhovna Rada proposed repealing the law “On Ukraine’s accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.” Earlier, Secretary of the National Security Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov stated that Kyiv is ready to use available resources to create effective weapons.

IN Belarus the withdrawal of nuclear weapons was completed in November 1996. Subsequently, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko more than once called this decision the most serious mistake. In his opinion, “if there were nuclear weapons left in the country, they would be talking to us differently now.”

South Africa is the only country that independently produced nuclear weapons, and after the fall of the apartheid regime voluntarily abandoned them.

Nuclear Club list of countries

Russia

• Russia received most of its atomic weapons after the collapse of the USSR, when mass disarmament and removal of nuclear warheads to Russia were carried out at the military bases of the former Soviet republics.
• Officially, the country has a nuclear resource of 7,000 warheads and ranks first in the world in terms of weapons, of which 1,950 are deployed.
• The former Soviet Union conducted its first test in 1949 with a ground launch of an RDS-1 rocket from the Semipalatinsk test site in Kazakhstan.
• The Russian position regarding nuclear weapons is to use them in response to a similar attack. Or in case of attacks with conventional weapons, if this threatens the existence of the country.

USA

• The incident of two missiles dropped on two Japanese cities in 1945 is the first and only example of a live atomic attack. Thus, the United States became the first country to implement nuclear explosion. Today it is also the country with the most strong army in the world. Official estimates report 6,800 active units, of which 1,800 are deployed in combat status.
• The last US nuclear test was carried out in 1992. The US takes the position that it has sufficient weapons to protect itself and allied countries from attack.

France

• After World War II, the country did not pursue the goal of developing its own weapons of mass destruction. However, after Vietnam War and the loss of its colonies in Indochina, the government of the country reconsidered its views, and since 1960 has been pursuing nuclear tests first in Algeria, and then in two uninhabited coral islands in French Polynesia.
• In total, the country conducted 210 tests, the most powerful of which were the Canopus in 1968 and the Unicorn in 1970. There is information about the presence of 300 nuclear warheads, 280 of which are located on deployed carriers.
• The scale of the global armed confrontation clearly demonstrated that the longer the French government ignores peaceful initiatives to curb weapons, the better for France. Even France acceded to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty proposed by the UN in 1996 only in 1998.

China

• China. China conducted its first test of an atomic weapon, codenamed “596,” in 1964, opening the way to becoming one of the five residents of the Nuclear Club.


• Modern China has 270 warheads in storage. Since 2011, the country has adopted a policy of minimal weapons, which will be used only in case of danger. And the developments of Chinese military scientists are in no way behind the leaders in weapons, Russia and the United States, and since 2011 they have presented to the world four new modifications of ballistic weapons with the ability to load them with nuclear warheads.
• There is a joke that China is based on the number of its compatriots, who make up the largest diaspora in the world, when talking about the “minimum necessary” number of combat units.

Great Britain

• Great Britain, like a true lady, even though it is one of the leading Five nuclear powers, and such obscenity as atomic tests on my own territory, did not practice. All tests were carried out away from British lands, in Australia and in Pacific Ocean.
• She began her nuclear career in 1952 with the activation of a nuclear bomb with a yield of more than 25 kilotons of TNT on board the frigate Plym, anchored near the Pacific islands of Montebello. In 1991, testing was stopped. Officially, the country has 215 charges, of which 180 are located on deployed carriers.
• The UK actively opposes the use of nuclear weapons ballistic missiles, although there was a precedent in 2015, when Prime Minister David Cameron cheered up the international community with the message that the country, if desired, could demonstrate the launch of a couple of charges. The minister did not specify in which direction the nuclear greeting would fly.

Young nuclear powers

Pakistan

• Pakistan. The common border with India and Pakistan prevents them from signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty. In 1965, the country's foreign minister said that Pakistan would be ready to begin developing its own nuclear weapons if neighboring India began to do so. His determination was so serious that he promised to put the entire country on bread and water for the sake of protection from armed provocations of India.
• Development of explosive devices has been ongoing for a long time, with variable funding and construction of facilities since 1972. The country conducted its first tests in 1998 at the Chagai training ground. There are about 120-130 nuclear warheads in storage in the country.
• The emergence of a new player in the nuclear market forced many partner countries to impose a ban on the import of Pakistani goods into their territory, which could greatly undermine the country's economy. Fortunately for Pakistan, it had a number of unofficial sponsors who provided funds for nuclear testing. The largest revenues were oil from Saudi Arabia, imported into the country daily at 50 thousand barrels.

India

• The homeland of the most cheerful films was pushed to participate in the nuclear race by its proximity to China and Pakistan. And if China has long been in the position of superpowers and does not pay attention to India, and does not particularly oppress permanent job over its potential and refusal to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
• Nuclear power prevented India from venturing out into the open from the very beginning, so the first test, codenamed “Smiling Buddha” in 1974, was carried out secretly, underground. All developments were so classified that the researchers even notified their own Minister of Defense about the tests at the last moment.
• Officially, India admitted that yes, we sin, we have charges, only in the late 1990s. According to modern data, there are 110-120 units in storage in the country.

North Korea

• North Korea. The favorite move of the United States - “showing strength” as an argument in negotiations - was very disliked by the DPRK government back in the mid-1950s. At that time, the States actively intervened in Korean War, allowing atomic bombing Pyongyang. The DPRK learned its lesson and set a course for militarizing the country.
• Together with the army, which today is the fifth largest in the world, Pyongyang is conducting nuclear research, which until 2017 was not particularly interesting to the world, since it took place under the auspices of space exploration, and relatively peacefully. Sometimes the neighboring lands shook South Korea from medium-sized earthquakes of unknown nature, that’s all the trouble.
• At the beginning of 2017, the “false” news in the media that the United States was sending its aircraft carriers to meaningless promenades off the Korean shores left a residue, and the DPRK, without much concealment, conducted six nuclear tests. Today the country has 10 nuclear units in storage.
• How many other countries are conducting research on developing nuclear weapons is unknown. To be continued.

Suspicions of nuclear weapons storage

There are several known countries suspected of storing nuclear weapons:

• Israel, like the old and wise Reve, is in no hurry to lay his cards on the table, but does not directly deny the presence of nuclear weapons. The “Non-Proliferation Treaty” has also not been signed, and it’s more invigorating than the morning snow. And all that the world has are only rumors about the nuclear tests that the Promised One allegedly conducted since 1979 together with South Africa in the South Atlantic and the presence of 80 nuclear warheads in storage.
• Iraq, according to unverified data, has been storing an unknown number of nuclear weapons for an unknown number of years. “Simply because it can,” they said in the United States, and at the beginning of the 2000s, together with Great Britain, they sent troops into the country. Later they apologized heartily that they were “mistaken.” We didn't expect anything else, gentlemen.
• Came under the same suspicions Iran, due to testing the “peaceful atom” for energy needs. This became the reason to impose sanctions on the country for 10 years. In 2015, Iran pledged to report on uranium enrichment research, and the country was released from sanctions.

Four countries cleared themselves of all suspicion by officially refusing to participate “in these races of yours.” Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine transferred all their capacities to Russia with the collapse of the USSR, although the President of Belarus A. Lukashenko sometimes sighs with a hint of nostalgia that “If only there were any weapons left, they would talk to us differently.” And South Africa, even though it once participated in the development of nuclear power, openly withdrew from the race and lives quietly.

Partly due to the contradictions of internal political forces that opposed nuclear policy, partly due to a lack of necessity. One way or another, some have transferred all power to the energy sector to cultivate the “peaceful atom”, and some have abandoned nuclear potential altogether (like Taiwan, after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine).

List of nuclear powers in the world for 2018

The powers that have such weapons in their arsenal are members of the so-called “Nuclear Club”. Intimidation and world domination are the reasons for the research and production of atomic weapons.

USA

• First nuclear bomb test - 1945
• The last one was 1992.

It ranks 1st in the number of warheads among nuclear powers. In 1945, for the first time in the world, it was produced nuclear explosion the first Trinity bomb. Besides large quantity warheads, the United States has missiles with a range of 13,000 km that can deliver nuclear weapons to this distance.

Russia

• Experienced for the first time nuclear bomb in 1949 at the Semipalatinsk test site
• The last one was in 1990.

Russia is the rightful successor to the USSR and a power with nuclear weapons. And for the first time the country exploded a nuclear bomb in 1949, and by 1990 there were approximately 715 tests in total. The Tsar Bomba is the name given to the most powerful thermonuclear bomb in the world. Its capacity is 58.6 megatons of TNT. Its development was carried out in the USSR in 1954-1961. under the leadership of I.V. Kurchatov. Tested on October 30, 1961 at the Sukhoi Nos training ground.

In 2014, President V.V. Putin changed the military doctrine of the Russian Federation, as a result of which the country reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to the use of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction against it or its allies, as well as any other, if the the very existence of the state.

As of 2017, Russia has in its arsenal launchers missile systems intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear combat missiles(Topol-M, YaRS). The Russian Navy has ballistic missile submarines. Air Force have strategic bombers long-range aviation. The Russian Federation is rightfully considered one of the leaders among the powers possessing nuclear weapons, and one of the technologically advanced ones.

Great Britain

USA's best friend.

• Tested for the first time atomic bomb in 1952
• Last test: 1991

Officially joined the nuclear club. The US and UK are long-standing partners and have been cooperating on nuclear issues since 1958, when the countries signed a mutual defense treaty. The country does not seek to reduce nuclear weapons, but also does not increase their production in view of the policy of containing neighboring states and aggressors. The number of warheads in stock is not disclosed.

France

• In 1960, she conducted the first test.
• The last time was in 1995.

The first explosion took place in Algeria. A thermonuclear explosion was tested in 1968 at Mururoa Atoll in the South Pacific and since then there have been more than 200 tests of weapons of mass destruction. The power strove for its independence and began to officially possess deadly weapons.

China

• First test - 1964
• Latest - 1996

The state has officially stated that it will not be the first to use nuclear weapons, and also guarantees not to use them against countries that do not have lethal weapons.

India

• First nuclear bomb test - 1974
• The last one was 1998.

It officially recognized the presence of nuclear weapons only in 1998 after successful underground explosions at the Pokharan test site.

Pakistan

• Tested a weapon for the first time - May 28, 1998.
• Last time: May 30, 1998

In response to nuclear weapons explosions in India, he conducted a series of underground tests in 1998.

North Korea

• 2006 - first explosion
• 2016 is the last one.

In 2005, the leadership of the DPRK announced the creation of a dangerous bomb and in 2006 it conducted its first underground test. The second explosion was carried out in 2009. And in 2012 it officially declared itself a nuclear power. In recent years, the situation on the Korean Peninsula has worsened and North Korea periodically threatens the United States with a nuclear bomb if it continues to interfere in the conflict with South Korea.

Israel

• allegedly tested a nuclear warhead in 1979.

The country does not officially have nuclear weapons. The state neither denies nor confirms the presence of nuclear weapons. But there is evidence that Israel has such warheads.

Iran

This power global community accuses of creating nuclear weapons, but the state declares that it does not possess such weapons and does not intend to produce them. Research was carried out only for peaceful purposes, and that scientists have mastered the entire cycle of uranium enrichment and only for peaceful purposes.

South Africa

The state possessed nuclear weapons in the form of missiles, but voluntarily destroyed them. There is information that Israel provided assistance in creating bombs

History of origin

The creation of a deadly bomb began in 1898, when the spouses Pierre and Marie Suladovskaya-Curie discovered that some substance was released in uranium great amount energy. Subsequently, Ernest Rutherford studied atomic nucleus, and his colleagues Ernest Walton and John Cockcroft were the first to split the atomic nucleus in 1932. And in 1934, Leo Szilard patented a nuclear bomb.

Types of nuclear weapons

• Atomic bomb - energy release occurs due to nuclear fission
• Hydrogen (thermonuclear) - explosion energy occurs as a result of first nuclear fission, and then nuclear fusion.

At the heart of a nuclear explosion, damage occurs due to mechanical action shock wave, thermal exposure to light waves, radioactive exposure and radioactive contamination.

As a result of the shock wave, unprotected people can suffer injuries and concussions. Mechanical damage, depending on the power, will cause destruction to buildings and houses. The light wave can cause burns on the body and burns to the retina of the eyes. Fires occur as a result of the thermal effects of light waves. Radioactive contamination and radiation sickness are the result of radioactive exposure.

On July 16, 1945, a new era began in the history of our civilization - in the state of New Mexico, on the territory of a military base, the world's first twenty-kiloton nuclear warhead, Gadget, was detonated. The military was pleased with the results of the tests, and less than two months later the first uranium bomb, Little Boy, was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion practically wiped the city off the face of the earth. Three days later, a similar evil fate befell Nagasaki. Since then, the sword of Damocles of total nuclear destruction has been hanging invisibly over humanity...

Despite the undoubted humanistic achievements of our civilization, physical violence - or the threat of its use - remains one of the main tools of international politics. It is therefore not surprising that nuclear weapons - the most powerful means of killing and destruction ever created by man - have become a factor of strategic proportions.

Possession of nuclear technology gives a state a completely different weight on the world stage, even if the country's economy is in a deplorable state and citizens are starving. And you don’t have to look far for examples: small nuclear North Korea has forced the mighty United States of America to reckon with itself.

The presence of nuclear weapons opens the door for any regime to the community of the elite - to the so-called Nuclear Club. Despite numerous disagreements between its participants, they are all united in one thing: to prevent further expansion of the Nuclear Club and prevent other countries from developing their own nuclear weapons. And to achieve this goal, any methods are used, from the most severe international sanctions to bomb attacks and sabotage at nuclear facilities. A clear example of this is the saga with Iran's nuclear program, which has been going on for several decades.

Of course, one can consider nuclear weapons to be an absolute “uncomplicated” evil, but one cannot deny the fact that they are also a powerful deterrent. If the USSR and the USA did not have deadly nuclear arsenals, the confrontation between them would hardly have been limited to the Cold War. Most likely, in this case, a new world massacre would have broken out already in the 50s. And it was the nuclear bomb that made it impossible. And in our time, the possession of nuclear weapons is a reliable (and probably the only) guarantee of security for any state. And the events around North Korea are the most clear example this. In the 90s, Ukraine, under guarantees from leading states, voluntarily abandoned the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal, and where is its security now? To stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons, an effective international mechanism protection state sovereignty. But for now this is rather from the realm of unscientific fiction...

How many nuclear powers exist in the world today? How large are their arsenals, and which state can be called the world leader in this field? Are there any countries trying to gain nuclear power status?

Nuclear club: who is among the chosen ones

It should be clearly understood that the expression “nuclear club” is nothing more than a journalistic cliche; such an organization, of course, does not officially exist. There is not even a corresponding informal get-together, like the G7, where it would be possible to resolve the most pressing issues and develop common approaches.

Moreover, relations between some nuclear states are, to put it mildly, not very good. For example, Pakistan and India have already fought several times; their next armed conflict may well end in a series of mutual atomic strikes. And a few months ago, a full-scale war almost broke out between the DPRK and the United States. A lot of contradictions - fortunately, not so large - exist today between Washington and Moscow.

And sometimes it is very difficult to say whether a state is nuclear or not yet. A typical example is Israel, whose nuclear status experts have little doubt about. But, meanwhile, official Jerusalem has never admitted that it has such weapons.

Existing nuclear states on the world map. “Official” are indicated in red. nuclear countries, orange - known nuclear powers, yellow - countries that are suspected of possessing nuclear weapons

There are more whole line countries that are in different time were engaged in the creation of nuclear weapons, and it is difficult to say what results their nuclear program achieved.

So, the official nuclear powers of the world for 2018, list:

• Russia;
• Great Britain;
• France;
• China;
• India;
• Pakistan;
• Israel;
• DPRK.

Special mention should be made of South Africa, which succeeded in creating nuclear weapons, but was forced to abandon it and close its nuclear program. Six already manufactured charges were disposed of in the early 90s.

The former Soviet republics of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus voluntarily gave up nuclear weapons in the early 1990s in exchange for security guarantees offered to them by all major nuclear powers. Moreover, at that time, Ukraine had the third nuclear arsenal in the world, and Kazakhstan – the fourth.

US nuclear weapons: history and modernity

The United States is the first country in the world to create nuclear weapons. Developments in this area began during the Second World War (“Manhattan Project”), and involved the best engineers and physicists - the Americans were very afraid that the Nazis would be the first to create a nuclear bomb. By the summer of 1945, the United States had three nuclear warheads, two of which were later dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

For several years, the United States was the only state in the world armed with nuclear weapons. Moreover, the Americans were confident that they Soviet Union there are no resources and technologies to create our own nuclear bomb in the coming years. Therefore, the news that the USSR is a nuclear power came as a real shock to the political leadership of this country.

Initially, the main type of American nuclear weapons were bombs, and the main carrier of nuclear weapons was army aviation. However, already in the 60s the situation began to change: the “Flying Fortresses” were replaced by intercontinental missiles land and sea based.

In 1952, the United States tested the world's first thermonuclear device, and in 1954, the most powerful American thermonuclear charge with a capacity of 15 Mt was detonated.

By 1960, the total capacity of nuclear weapons in the United States amounted to 20 thousand megatons, and in 1967 the Pentagon had at its disposal more than 32 thousand warheads. However, American strategists quickly realized the excess of this power, and by the end of the 80s it was reduced by almost a third. At the end of the Cold War, the American nuclear arsenal amounted to less than 23 thousand charges. After its completion, the United States began large-scale disposal of obsolete nuclear weapons.

In 2010, the START III treaty was signed between the United States and Russia, according to which the parties pledged to reduce the number of nuclear warheads to 1,550 units within ten years, and the total number of ICBMs, SLBMs and strategic bombers– up to 700 pieces.

The United States is undoubtedly at the top of the nuclear club: this country has in its arsenal (end of 2018) 1,367 nuclear warheads and 681 deployed strategic delivery vehicles.

The Soviet Union and the Russian Federation: history and current state

After the appearance of nuclear weapons in the United States, the Soviet Union had to enter the nuclear race from the position of catching up. Moreover, for a state whose economy was destroyed by the war, this competition was very exhausting.

First nuclear device in the USSR it was blown up on August 29, 1949. And in August 1953, a Soviet thermonuclear charge was successfully tested. Moreover, unlike its American counterpart, the first Soviet hydrogen bomb actually had the dimensions of ammunition and could be used practically.

In 1961, a powerful thermonuclear bomb equivalent to more than 50 megatons was exploded at the test site on Novaya Zemlya. At the end of the 50s, the first intercontinental ballistic missile R-7 was created.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia inherited all of it nuclear arsenals. Currently (at the beginning of 2018) Russia has 1,444 nuclear warheads and 527 deployed carriers.

It can be added that our country has one of the most advanced and technologically advanced nuclear triads in the world, which includes ICBMs, SLBMs and strategic bombers.

UK nuclear program and arsenals

England conducted its first nuclear tests in October 1952 on an atoll near Australia. In 1957, the first British thermonuclear weapon was detonated in Polynesia. The last test took place in 1991.

Ever since the Manhattan Project, Britain has had special relationship with the Americans in the nuclear field. Therefore, it is not surprising that in 1960 the British abandoned the idea of ​​​​creating their own rocket and purchased a delivery system from the United States.

There are no official figures on the size of Britain's nuclear arsenal. However, it is believed that it amounts to approximately 220 nuclear warheads, of which 150-160 are on combat duty. Moreover, the only component of the nuclear triad that England has are submarines. London has neither land-based ICBMs nor strategic aviation.

France and its nuclear program

After General de Gaulle came to power, France headed towards creating its own nuclear forces. Already in 1960, the first nuclear tests were carried out at a test site in Algeria; after the loss of this colony, atolls in the Pacific Ocean had to be used for this purpose.

France joined the nuclear test ban treaty only in 1998. It is believed that this country currently has approximately three hundred nuclear weapons.

Nuclear weapons of the People's Republic of China

The Chinese nuclear program began in the late 50s, and it took place with the active assistance of the Soviet Union. Thousands of Soviet specialists were sent to fraternal communist China to help build reactors, mine uranium, and conduct tests. At the end of the 50s, when relations between the USSR and China deteriorated completely, cooperation was quickly curtailed, but it was too late: the 1964 nuclear test opened the door for Beijing nuclear club. In 1967, China successfully tested a thermonuclear weapon.

China tested nuclear weapons on its territory at the Lop Nor test site. The last of them took place in 1996.

Due to the extremely closed nature of the country, it is quite difficult to estimate the size of China's nuclear arsenal. Beijing is officially believed to have 250-270 warheads. The Chinese army is armed with 70-75 ICBMs, another means of delivery is missiles located on submarines. Also included Chinese triad comes in and strategic aviation. The Su-30s that China purchased from Russia are capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.

India and Pakistan: one step away from nuclear conflict

India had good reasons to acquire its own nuclear bomb: the threat from China (already nuclear) and the long-term conflict with Pakistan, which resulted in several wars between the countries.

The West helped India get nuclear weapons. The first reactors were supplied to the country by Britain and Canada, and the Americans helped with heavy water. The Indians conducted their first nuclear test in 1974 on their own territory.

Delhi for a very long time did not want to recognize its nuclear status. This was only made in 1998 after the series test explosions. India is currently believed to own approximately 120-130 nuclear charges. This country has long-range ballistic missiles (up to 8 thousand km), as well as SLBMs on Arihant-class submarines. Su-30 and Dassault Mirage 2000 aircraft can carry tactical nuclear weapons.

Pakistan began work on its own nuclear weapons in the early 70s. In 1982, a uranium enrichment plant was completed, and in 1995, a reactor was completed, which made it possible to produce weapons-grade plutonium. Pakistani nuclear weapons were tested in May 1998.

It is believed that Islamabad may currently have 120-130 nuclear weapons.

North Korea: Juche nuclear bomb

Most known history Associated with the development of nuclear weapons is undoubtedly the North Korean nuclear program.

The DPRK began developing its own atomic bomb back in the mid-50s, and it received the most active assistance in this matter from the Soviet Union. With the help of specialists from the USSR, a research center with a nuclear reactor was opened in the country, and Soviet geologists searched for uranium in North Korea.

In mid-2005, the world was surprised to learn that the DPRK was a nuclear power, and the following year the Koreans conducted the first test of a 1-kiloton nuclear bomb. In 2018, Kim Jong-ye told the world that his country already has thermonuclear weapons in its arsenal. It is believed that Pyongyang may currently possess 10-20 nuclear warheads.

In 2012, the Koreans announced the creation of Hwasong-13 intercontinental ballistic missiles with a flight range of 7.5 thousand km. This is quite enough to strike at US territory.

Just a few days ago there was a meeting American President Trump with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at which the parties seemed to agree to shut down the DPRK’s nuclear program. However, for now this is more of a declaration of intent, and it is difficult to say whether these negotiations will lead to real denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Nuclear program of the State of Israel

Israel does not officially admit that it has nuclear weapons, but the whole world knows that it still has them.

It is believed that the Israeli nuclear program began in the mid-50s, and the first nuclear weapons were produced in the late 60s and early 70s. Accurate information there is no information about testing Israeli nuclear weapons. On September 22, 1979, the American Vela satellite detected strange flashes over the deserted part of the South Atlantic, very reminiscent of the consequences of a nuclear explosion. It is believed that this was an Israeli nuclear weapons test.

Israel is believed to currently have approximately 80 nuclear weapons. In addition, this country has a full-fledged nuclear triad for delivering nuclear weapons: the Jericho-3 ICBM with a range of 6.5 thousand km, submarines type "Dolphin", capable of carrying cruise missiles with a nuclear warhead, and F-15I Ra'am fighter-bombers with the Gabriel missile launcher.

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Today, nuclear weapons are thousands of times more powerful than the two infamous atomic bombs that destroyed the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Since that bombing, the nuclear arms race various countries moved into a different phase, and under the pretext of nuclear deterrence never stopped.

Iran

• Status: Charged with unofficial possession.
• First test: never.
• Final test: never.
• Arsenal size: 2,400 kilograms of low-enriched uranium.

Top U.S. military officials unanimously say Iran can produce at least one nuclear weapon every year and needs a maximum of five years to develop a modern, functional atomic bomb.

Currently, the West regularly accuses Tehran of developing nuclear weapons, which is just as regularly denied by the Iranian leadership. According to the official position of the latter, the state’s nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes and is being developed for the energy needs of enterprises and medical reactors.

After international verification in the sixties, Iran had to abandon its nuclear program (1979). However, according to secret Pentagon documents, it was resumed in the mid-nineties. For this reason, UN sanctions were imposed on the Asian state, the introduction of which should stop the development of Iran's nuclear program, which threatens peace in the region; nevertheless, Iran is a nuclear power.

Israel

• Status: not official.
• First test: possibly 1979.
• Last test: possibly 1979.
• Arsenal size: up to 400 units.
• Test Ban Treaty (CTBT): Signed.

Israel is considered a country that not only has full-fledged nuclear weapons, but is also capable of delivering them to various points through intercontinental ballistic missiles, aviation or navy. The state began its research in the nuclear field soon after its founding. The first reactor was built in 1950, and the first nuclear weapon in the sixties.

At present, Israel does not seek to maintain its reputation as a nuclear power, but many European countries, including France and the UK, are actively promoting Israel in this industry. You should know that information has been leaked that the Israelis have created mini nuclear bombs that are small enough to be installed in a suitcase. They were also reported to possess an unknown number of bomb neutrons.

• Status: official.
• First test: 2006.
• Last test: 2009.
• Arsenal size: less than 10 units.

In addition to possessing a significant arsenal of modern chemical weapons, North Korea is a full-fledged nuclear power. Currently, the state of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has a pair of operating nuclear reactors.

To date, North Korea has two successful nuclear tests, which were confirmed by international experts based on the results of surveys and monitoring of seismic activity in the test areas.

• Status: official.
• First test: May 28, 1998.
• Last test: May 30, 1998.
• Arsenal size: from 70 to 90 units.
• Test Ban Treaty (CTBT): not signed.

Pakistan resumed its previously interrupted nuclear program in response to India's Buddha Smile test. The official statement from the authorities contains the following words: “If India creates an atomic bomb, we will eat grass and leaves for a thousand years, or even starve, but we will get similar weapons. Christians, Jews and now Hindus have the bomb. Why don't Muslims allow themselves to do this? ". This phrase belongs to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto after the tests in India.

Let us recall that Pakistan’s nuclear program was born back in 1956, but was frozen by order of President Ayub Khan. Nuclear engineers tried to prove that the nuclear program was vital, but the country's president said that if real threat Pakistan will be able to acquire ready-made nuclear weapons.

The Pakistan Air Force has two units operating the Nanchang A-5C (No. 16 and No. 26 Squadrons), which are excellent for delivering nuclear warheads. Pakistan ranks seventh in our ranking of nuclear powers in the world.

India

• Status: official.
• First test: 1974.
• Last test: 1998.
• Arsenal size: less than 40 to 95 units.
• Test Ban Treaty (CTBT): not signed.

India has an impressive number of nuclear weapons, and is also capable of delivering them to their destinations using aircraft and surface ships. In addition, its nuclear missile submarines are in the final stages of development.

India's first nuclear test was original name“Smiling Buddha”, as if this nuclear explosion had exclusively peaceful purposes. The world community reacted to such actions after the 1998 tests. Economic sanctions against India were imposed by the United States, Japan and their Western allies.

• Status: official.
• First test: 1964.
• Last test: 1996.
• Arsenal size: about 240 units.
• Test Ban Treaty (CTBT): Signed.

Almost immediately after testing the first atomic bomb, China tested its hydrogen bomb. These events occurred in 1964 and 1967, respectively. Currently Chinese People's Republic has 180 active nuclear warheads and is considered one of the most powerful world powers.

China is the only state with a nuclear arsenal that has given security guarantees to all countries that do not have such technology. The official part of the document reads: “China undertakes not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states or nuclear-weapon-free zones, regardless of time and under any circumstances.”

• Status: official.
• First test: 1960.
• Last test: 1995.
• Arsenal size: at least 300 units.

France is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and is known to possess weapons of mass destruction. Developments in this direction in the Fifth Republic began after the end of World War II, but it was only possible to create an atomic bomb in 1958. Tests in 1960 made it possible to verify the functionality of the weapon.

To date, France has carried out more than two hundred nuclear tests, and its potential puts the country in fourth place in world ranking of nuclear powers.

• Status: official.
• First test: 1952.
• Last test: 1991.
• Arsenal size: more than 225 units.
• Test Ban Treaty (CTBT): Ratified.

The United Kingdom Great Britain ratified the “Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons” back in 1968. The United States and the United Kingdom have worked closely and mutually beneficially on nuclear security issues since the 1958 Mutual Defense Treaty.

In addition, these two countries (USA and UK) also actively exchange various classified information received by state intelligence services.

Russian Federation

• Status: official.
• First test: 1949.
• Last test: 1990.
• Arsenal size: 2,825 units.
• Test Ban Treaty (CTBT): Ratified.

The Soviet Union was the second country to detonate a nuclear bomb (1949). From then until 1990, Russia carried out at least 715 nuclear tests involving testing of 970 different devices. Russia is one of the most powerful nuclear powers in the world. The first nuclear explosion, with a yield of 22 kilotons, received given name"Joe-1."

The Tsar Bomba is by far the heaviest atomic weapon of all time. It was tested in 1967, detonating at a whopping 57,000 kilotons. This charge was originally designed at 100,000 kilotons, but was reduced to 57,000 kilotons due to the high likelihood of excessive radioactive fallout.

USA

• Status: official.
• First test: 1945.
• Last test: 1992.
• Arsenal size: 5,113 units.
• Test Ban Treaty (CTBT): Signed.

In total, the United States has conducted more than 1,050 nuclear tests and occupies a leading place in our top ten nuclear world powers. At the same time, the state has missiles with a delivery range atomic warhead up to 13,000 kilometers. The first test of the Trinity atomic bomb was carried out in 1945. This was the first explosion of this kind in world history, which demonstrated to humanity new type threats.

One of the greatest luminaries of the scientific world, Albert Einstein, approached President Franklin Roosevelt with a proposal to create an atomic bomb. So the creator unwittingly became the destroyer.

Today, according to the nuclear program North America More than twenty secret facilities operate. It is curious that during tests in the United States, there were many incidents with nuclear weapons, which, fortunately, did not lead to irreparable consequences. Examples include incidents near Atlantic City, New Jersey (1957), Thule Air Force Base, Greenland (1968), Savannah, Georgia (1958), at sea near Palomares, Spain (1966), off the coast of Okinawa, Japan (1965), etc.

Confrontation between the two most powerful nuclear powers in the world, Russia and the USA: video

At the session General Assembly United Nations in New York, many states have already signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (it was adopted on July 7, 2017 at the UN headquarters and opened for signature on September 20. - Ed.). As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres put it, they want to create a world “without weapons.” doomsday"But countries that have nuclear weapons (nuclear weapons) are not participating in the initiative.

Uwho has nuclear weapons and how many?

It is generally accepted that today there are actually nine nuclear powers in the world - the USA, Russia, France, Great Britain, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and the DPRK. At their disposal, according to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) as of January 2017, there are a total of about 15 thousand nuclear warheads. But they are distributed very unevenly among the G9 countries. The United States and Russia account for 93 percent of all nuclear warheads on the planet.

Who has official nuclear status and who does not?

Officially, only those that signed the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons are considered nuclear powers. These are (in order of the creation of their first atomic bomb) - USA (1945), USSR/Russia (1949), Great Britain (1952), France (1960) and China (1964). The remaining four countries, although they have nuclear weapons, have not joined the treaty on their non-proliferation.

North Korea withdrew from the treaty, Israel has never officially recognized its nuclear weapons, but Tel Aviv is believed to have them. In addition, the United States assumes that Iran continues to work on creating an atomic bomb, despite the official renunciation of the military use of nuclear energy and control by the IAEA.

How the number of nuclear warheads changed

Although over time everything more states began to possess nuclear weapons, the number of nuclear warheads today is significantly lower than during the Cold War. In the 1980s there were about 70 thousand. Today, their number continues to decline in accordance with the disarmament agreement concluded by the United States and Russia in 2010 (START III Treaty). But the quantity is not so important. Almost all nuclear powers are modernizing their arsenal and making it even more powerful.

What initiatives are there for nuclear disarmament?

The oldest such initiative is the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The signatory states that do not have nuclear weapons undertake to permanently abandon their creation. The official nuclear powers undertake to negotiate disarmament. However, the agreement did not stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Another weak point of the agreement is that it long term divides the world into those who have nuclear weapons and those who do not. Critics of the document also note that the five official nuclear powers are also permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Have there been successful agreements on nuclear disarmament?

USA and USSR/Russia destroyed after the end of the Cold War significant amount nuclear warheads and their carriers. According to the START I treaty (signed in July 1991, entered into force in December 1994, expired in December 2009. - Ed.), Washington and Moscow have significantly reduced their nuclear arsenals.

This process was not easy and was slowed down from time to time, but the goal was so important for both sides that Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev signed the START III treaty in the spring of 2010. Obama then announced his desire for a nuclear-free world. Further fate treaty is considered uncertain due to the policy of demonstration military force carried out by US President Donald Trump, and Russian actions towards Ukraine.

Which countries have given up nuclear weapons?

South Africa abandoned attempts to create an atomic bomb shortly before the abolition of the apartheid regime, as did Libya in 2003. They stand apart here former republics The USSR, which inherited nuclear weapons after its collapse. Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan signed the Lisbon Protocol, making them parties to the START I treaty, and then acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Ukraine had the largest arsenal, the third in the world after the United States and Russia. Having refused it, Kyiv received in return financial assistance, as well as guarantees of security and territorial integrity from nuclear powers, enshrined in the so-called Budapest Memorandum. However, the memorandum was in the nature of a voluntary commitment, was not ratified by any of the states that signed it, and did not provide for a sanctions mechanism.

Context

Since the beginning of the conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014, critics of the memorandum say that Kyiv’s refusal to renounce nuclear weapons has not justified itself. They believe that Ukraine's nuclear weapons would not allow Russia to annex Crimea. On the other hand, experts note that the example of North Korea may cause chain reaction, when more and more countries want to obtain atomic warheads.

What are the prospects for banning nuclear weapons?

The current initiative to ban nuclear weapons is nothing more than a symbolic gesture against the nuclear arms race. If only because all nine nuclear powers are not taking part in this initiative. They argue that nuclear weapons are the best defense against attack and point to the pre-existing non-proliferation treaty. But this agreement does not talk about a ban.

NATO also does not support the treaty, which opened for signature on September 20. The campaign to sign it, as stated in the alliance's official statement, "does not take into account the increasingly threatening international security situation." Jean-Yves Le Drian, France's foreign minister, called the initiative an "almost irresponsible" "self-deception." According to him, it can only weaken the non-proliferation treaty.

On the other hand, Beatrice Fihn, head of the international campaign for the abolition of nuclear weapons, called on countries around the world to join the initiative. She emphasized that nuclear weapons - " the only kind weapons of mass destruction, which is still not prohibited, despite its destructive force and a threat to humanity." According to her, with Donald Trump coming to power in the United States, this threat has increased.

See also:

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Beginning - during the late Kim Il Sung

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Meetings and condemnatory statements

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