Nuclear (or atomic) weapons are the presence of the entire nuclear arsenal, its means of transportation, as well as control hardware. Such weapons are classified as weapons of mass destruction - weapons mass destruction. The explosive action of the so-called “rusty death” weapon is based on the principle of using some of the qualities possessed by nuclear energy released as a result of a nuclear or thermonuclear reaction.
Types of nuclear weapons
Everything available at globe nuclear weapon can be divided into two types:
- Atomic weapons are single-phase type explosive mechanisms. During the fission of heavy nuclei of plutonium or uranium 235, energy is released;
- Thermonuclear weapon is an explosive mechanism with a two-phase type. During the impact of the first phase, the release of energy occurs due to the fission of heavy nuclei. During the action of the second phase, the phase with thermonuclear fusion. In the process of proportional composition of reactions, the types of these weapons are determined.
From the history of the emergence of nuclear weapons
In 1889, the Curie couple committed scientific world grand opening. They discovered a hitherto unknown substance in a piece of uranium that released a colossal amount of energy.
After this discovery, events developed as follows. E. Rutherford studied the basic properties of atoms. E. Walton and D. Cockroft were the first in the world to carry out the splitting of the atomic nucleus. And already in 1934, scientist Leo Szilard registered a patent for the creation of an atomic bomb.
The purpose for which atomic weapons were created is very trivial - it is world domination, with the intimidation and destruction of their enemies. So, when the Second was already underway World War, German scientists, Soviet Union and the United States were engaged in research and development of nuclear weapons. These three largest and most powerful states, actively participating in hostilities, attempted to achieve victory at any cost. Moreover, if at that time they had managed to use these weapons as key factor in victory, then it could be used more than once in other military conflicts.
Nuclear powers of the world for 2018
The states that currently possess nuclear weapons are secretly called the Nuclear Club.
The following are considered legitimate within the international legal framework:
- United States of America (USA);
- Russia (which received nuclear weapons from the USSR after its collapse);
- France;
- Great Britain;
- China.
The following are considered illegitimate:
- India;
- North Korea;
- Pakistan.
There is another state - Israel. Officially, it does not have its own nuclear weapons. However, the world community is of the opinion that Israel should take its place in the Nuclear Club.
However, it is possible that there may be other participants on this list. Many world states had nuclear programs, but some of them gave up the idea later, and some are still working on them to this day. In some states, such weapons are supplied by other countries, for example, the United States. The exact number of weapons and how many nuclear powers own these weapons in the world is not known. However, approximately twenty and a half thousand nuclear warheads dispersed throughout the globe.
In 1968, they signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Later, in 1986, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed. However, not all states decided to sign and ratify (legalize) these documents. Thus, the threat to the world is still real. Moreover, no matter how strange it may sound, at present the presence of nuclear weapons is a guarantee of peace, a deterrent that can protect against aggression, which is why many states are so eager to acquire them.
United States Arsenal
Today, the United States has an arsenal of 1,654 warheads. The United States is armed with bombs, warheads, and shells. All this is used in military aviation, in the submarine fleet, as well as in artillery.
At the end of World War II, the United States produced over sixty-six thousand bombs with warheads, but already in 1997 the production of new types of nuclear weapons was completely stopped. By 2010, the United States arsenal consisted of more than five thousand nuclear weapons. Since 2013, their number has decreased to 1,654 units according to the project, which involved a reduction in nuclear potential.
As the unofficial world leader, the United States has the status of a nuclear power and, according to the 1968 treaty, as part of five states, it legitimately possesses nuclear weapons.
Russia (former USSR) is the second nuclear power
Russia currently has 1,480 warheads and 367 nuclear carriers. This ammunition is intended for use missile forces, sea strategic forces And strategic aviation. For last decade Russia's military nuclear stockpile decreased significantly, by 12% per year. Due to the signing of an agreement on mutual disarmament, by 2012 it was supposed to decrease by 2/3.
Today, the Russian Federation, as the successor to the USSR, is one of the main members of the 1968 agreements on nuclear weapons and possesses them legally. In the current global political and economic situation, Russia is being opposed to the United States and European states. However, with such a serious arsenal, you can defend your independent positions on geopolitical issues.
French nuclear potential
France currently has approximately 300 strategic warheads, as well as approximately 60 air-launched tactical multiprocessors. All this can be used by submarines and aircraft. For a long time, France had to strive to be independent in matters of its own weapons. She was developing her own supercomputer and conducting nuclear tests until 1998. France was no longer involved in nuclear weapons.
British nuclear capability
The UK has 225 nuclear warheads. Of these, over 160 are in combat readiness and are located on submarines. No one has accurate information about the weapons of the British army. They do not disclose the exact size of their nuclear arsenal. The UK has no desire to increase its nuclear stockpile, nor to reduce it. It is guided by a policy of deterring allied and neutral states from using these weapons.
Chinese nuclear potential
Estimated American specialists The Chinese have approximately 240 warheads. Although according to official data, the Chinese military has approximately 40 intercontinental missiles, which are controlled by artillery and submariners. Besides, Chinese army owns approximately 1000 missiles short range.
Chinese authorities do not disclose precise information about their arsenal. They state that their nuclear weapons are expected to be maintained at the lowest level that is safe. Moreover, the Chinese authorities say that they will not be the first to use nuclear weapons, and in relation to non-nuclear states they will not use them at all. Such statements are only welcomed by the international community.
Indian nuclear potential
According to some estimates, India does not officially have nuclear weapons. India currently has approximately 30 nuclear warheads in its arsenal, as well as enough materials to make 90 more.
In addition, the Indian Army has short-range missiles, ballistic missiles medium range, extended-range missiles. Being an illegal owner atomic weapons, the Indian authorities do not officially declare their nuclear policy, this causes negative reactions in the world community.
Pakistani nuclear potential
It is known from unofficial sources that the Pakistani army has almost 200 nuclear warheads. Accurate information there is no information about the types of their weapons. The world community reacted to nuclear tests as harshly as possible. Pakistan has been subject to economic sanctions by almost all major world states. The exception was Saudi Arabia, which supplied the state with approximately fifty thousand barrels of oil per day.
North Korea is a new generation nuclear power
North Korea is a state that officially possesses nuclear weapons, and in this regard, in 2012, it amended its Constitution. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea possesses single-stage medium-range missiles, mobile complex"Musudan."
Reaction international community on the creation and testing of nuclear weapons was extremely negative. The lengthy six-party negotiations are still ongoing, and the state is subject to an economic embargo. However, the North Korean authorities are in no hurry to abandon the creation of their nuclear shield.
Should we give up nuclear weapons?
Nuclear weapons are one of the most terrible types of destruction of the population and economic potential of a hostile state. This is a weapon that destroys everything in its path. Aware of the seriousness of the presence of such weapons, the governments of many states (especially “ Nuclear Club") are taking a wide variety of measures to reduce the number of these weapons, as well as guarantees for their non-use.
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 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
Carriers nuclear charges: 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 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 ex-president Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf said 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. IN Lately North Korea conducts a lot of tests - the country launches 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.
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 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 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 a so-called “ nuclear deal" - sanctions were lifted, 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, sanctions were again introduced against Iran. Tehran, meanwhile, began testing ballistic missiles.
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 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 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 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 mass destruction. However, after Vietnam War and the loss of its colonies in Indochina, the country’s government reconsidered its views, and since 1960 it conducted 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 the 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 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 receipts were oil from Saudi Arabia, which was imported into the country at a rate of 50 thousand barrels daily.
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 the world has is just rumors about nuclear tests, which the Promised One allegedly carried out 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
- First tested a 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. Tsar Bomba - that's what they call 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). Navy The Russian Armed Forces have 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.
- First tested an 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 on Mururoa Atoll in the southern part Pacific Ocean and since then 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 nuclear bomb, if it continues to interfere in the conflict with South Korea.
Israel
- allegedly tested a nuclear warhead in 1979.
The country is not officially the owner 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.
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) establishes that states that carried out a nuclear explosion before January 1, 1967 are recognized as nuclear powers. Thus, de jure the “nuclear club” includes Russia, the USA, Great Britain, France and China.
India and Pakistan are de facto nuclear states, but de jure they are not.
First nuclear test charger was conducted by India on May 18, 1974. On May 11 and 13, 1998, according to a statement from the Indian side, five nuclear charges were tested, one of which was thermonuclear. India is a consistent critic of the NPT and still remains outside its framework.
A special group, according to experts, consists of those who do not have nuclear status states capable of creating nuclear weapons, but refraining, due to political and military inexpediency, from transitioning to the category of nuclear states - the so-called “latent” nuclear states (Argentina, Brazil, Taiwan, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan and others).
Three states (Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan), which had nuclear weapons on their territory remaining after the collapse of the Soviet Union, signed in 1992 the Lisbon Protocol to the Treaty between the USSR and the USA on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms. By signing the Lisbon Protocol, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus acceded to the NPT and were included in the list of countries that do not possess nuclear weapons.
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
Recent world events have generated interest in the world's nuclear powers. How many countries have nuclear weapons in 2018 - 2019? Everyone knows that the USA and Russia have the most powerful weapons in the world, and about their confrontation. In 1945, America used the atomic bomb for the first time, dropping it on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. The global community was horrified by the power and consequences. Countries, represented by their leaders, consider such weapons to be a guarantee of security and sovereignty. Such a country will be considered and feared.
List of nuclear powers in the world for 2019
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
- Latest - 1992
It ranks 1st in the number of warheads among nuclear powers. In 1945, the world's first nuclear explosion was carried out with the first Trinity bomb. In addition to a large number of warheads, the United States has missiles with a range of 13,000 km, which can deliver nuclear weapons to this distance.
Russia
- First tested a 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. 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 in its arsenal has launchers of intercontinental ballistic missile systems capable of carrying nuclear combat missiles (Topol-M, YaRS). The Russian Navy has ballistic missile submarines. The air force has long-range strategic bombers. 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.
- First tested an 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 lethal 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 the 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
The world community accuses this power 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 in uranium releases a huge amount of energy. Subsequently, Ernest Rutherford studied the atomic nucleus, and his colleagues Ernest Walton and John Cockcroft split the atomic nucleus for the first time in 1932. And in 1934, Leo Szilard patented a nuclear bomb.
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There are ten major powers on the 2018 list of nuclear weapons countries. Data on how many nuclear warheads a particular country has are located in Stockholm at the International Peace Research Institute. The “Nuclear Club” includes 9 states that, according to official data, have weapons of mass destruction. Our magazine Great Rating I have prepared a rating for you - nuclear countries for 2018.
Iran
Nuclear warheads - no information.
Date of first test: no information.
Date of last test: no information available.
Today everyone knows which states have nuclear capabilities. And according to official reports, Iran has nothing to do with nuclear weapons. But this country has never stopped experimenting with developing nuclear capabilities, and there are persistent rumors that this power has its own nuclear warheads. The Iranian authorities claim that they can easily create nuclear weapons for themselves, but for now they have decided not to do this, since they use uranium only for scientific research. The IAEA monitors Iran's nuclear work; this agreement was concluded in 2015, but the situation may soon change. October 2017 - US President Donald Trump claims that the United States is no longer interested in this treaty. No one can predict how these words will change the overall political situation.
DPRK
Nuclear warheads – 10-60.
Date of first test: 2006.
Date of last test: 2017.
The DPRK was included in the list of states that have nuclear weapons in 2018, this greatly frightened the whole western world. North Korea began its first work on the atom in the middle of last century, when the United States began to threaten Pyongyang with a nuclear attack. And then the frightened government began to seek support from the Soviet Union and China. Developments in the nuclear field started back in 1970 and were suspended in the nineties, with an improvement in the political climate. And just again political situation began to show cracks, the development of nuclear weapons was resumed. Since 2004, North Korea began preparing for its first nuclear test. The War Department claimed that the test will pass, having only a harmless goal - mastering outer space. Intrigue surrounds the number of warheads that North Korea has in its arsenal. Some sources claim that there are about twenty of them, others claim that exact figure- sixty.
Israel
Nuclear warheads – 80.
Date of first test: 1979.
Date of last test: 1979.
Israel, in its best traditions, has never claimed that it has nuclear weapons, but it has never denied the opposite. Israel “added fuel to the fire” by not signing the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. In addition, Israel, without a twinge of conscience, monitors the development of nuclear potential in all its neighbors. And if he sees the point in this, then he bombs the nuclear centers of other powers. This is how he resolved the conflict with Iraq in 1981. If you believe unconfirmed data, then the “promised land” had the opportunity to create nuclear weapons back in 1979. That same year, flashes of light were observed in the South Atlantic that were very similar to a nuclear explosion. There is a version that either Israel, or South Africa, or these two countries at the same time, are responsible for these explosions.
India
Nuclear warheads – 120-130.
Date of first test: 1974.
India first tested nuclear weapons back in 1974, but it agreed to the status of a nuclear country only at the end of the last century. After India detonated as many as three shells on one day in May 1998, literally three days later it forever refused to engage in nuclear weapons.
Pakistan
Nuclear warheads – 130-140.
Date of first test: 1998.
Date of last test: 1998.
Pakistan, which is India's neighbor and often at odds with it, is also not lagging behind in developing nuclear capabilities. After India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, Pakistan began to actively develop nuclear capabilities. According to the then government, they decided to work on the atom immediately after India, even if it would be necessary to eat only water. And they did make atomic weapons, albeit with a delay of two decades. After India conducted another nuclear test in 1998, Pakistan, determined not to be outdone, detonated a pair of nuclear warheads at Chagai (a military test site).
Great Britain
Nuclear warheads – 215.
Date of first test: 1952.
Date of last test: 1991.
The UK remains the only nuclear-armed country that has not conducted a nuclear test on its own soil. Britain carried out each nuclear test in Australia or in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, but in 1991 they suddenly stopped their experiments. David Cameron in 2015 “added fuel to the fire” by saying that the British government could, if necessary, drop several nuclear warheads. But who he threatened still remains a mystery.
China
Nuclear warheads – 270.
Date of first test: 1964.
Date of last test: 1996.
China remains the only country that has promised not to bomb (or threaten to bomb) non-nuclear powers. In 2011, the Chinese government made public its decision that a minimum level of nuclear weapons would be maintained. But since then the developers in military sphere They have come up with four types of ballistic missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Therefore, the minimum level of weapons remains an open question.
France
Nuclear warheads – 300.
Date of first test: 1960.
Date of last test: 1995.
During the entire period of their nuclear testing, the French carried out more than two hundred explosions, starting from tests in Algeria, which was then a colony of France, and ending with two atolls of French Polynesia. This country has never entered into negotiations with other powers on a peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue. France did not maintain a moratorium on nuclear testing in the 50s of the last century, and did not become a member of the treaty banning military experiments with nuclear weapons in the 60s. Only in the late nineties did it become a party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty
USA
Nuclear warheads - 6800.
Date of first test: 1945.
Date of last test: 1992.
The state with the most fearsome army on the planet is also a pioneer in nuclear testing. The United States was the first to carry out a nuclear explosion, and was also the first to use nuclear warheads in a war with another state. Since that time, the United States has produced more than 66,500 atomic weapons, with more than a hundred different variations. The basis of the nuclear weapons of the United States is ballistic missile, with the most various modifications. The American government refused to participate in the negotiations on the unconditional renunciation of nuclear weapons that started in May of this year (by the way, like the Russian Federation). Military doctrine The United States confirms that Americans will retain the right to a certain amount of weapons that will guarantee them their own security, as well as the security of countries friendly to them. In addition, America promised not to carry out bombing on any nuclear countries, provided, of course, that they comply with the terms of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Russia
Nuclear warheads – 7000.
Date of first test: 1949.
Date of last test: 1990.
Russia received nuclear weapons from the USSR - all available nuclear warheads were collected from all military points of the former Soviet Union. According to official sources, the government Russian Federation, nuclear weapons will only be used in response to such military actions against their country. Or if Russia's very existence is threatened by military action without the use of nuclear warheads, it can still use them against the enemy, but this is the most extreme case.
Is military action possible between North Korea and the United States?
The end of the last century was marked by people's fear of hostilities between Pakistan and India, and now everyone is afraid of the possible nuclear conflict between North Korea and the USA. The United States first threatened North Korea in 1953, but once North Korea had its own atomic bomb, the conflict moved to a completely different level. Pyongyang and Washington respond to each other very aggressively and become topical issue— Will there be a nuclear battle between the United States and North Korea? This may well be the case if President Trump believes that the Koreans are very dangerous because they can do intercontinental missile, which can sink all of America.
Nuclear warheads have been located near the DPRK border since 1957, by order of the US government. Korean politicians say that almost the entire territory of America is within the reach of North Korea's nuclear warheads.
What position will Russia take in the conflict between North Korea and the United States?
The pact concluded between Russia and North Korea does not imply that Russia will take any side in the war. IN general concept, this means that if hostilities begin, Russia can be neutral, naturally it will only have to condemn the action of the attacking side. In the worst case scenario, Vladivostok could be covered in radioactive fallout from the destroyed North Korean facilities.
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