The power of a nuclear power. See what “Nuclear Club” is in other dictionaries

To begin with, let's remember that nuclear weapons can destroy all living organisms, people, including the most as soon as possible. And accordingly, this particular type of weapon is capable of destroying our entire world within a few seconds.

The second question that arises before creating the list is why did these countries still create nuclear weapons, despite the fact that they are an active form of destructive material? The answer to this question is that this type energy is useful for humanity, but if it is used for peaceful purposes. Basically, the reason for the appearance nuclear weapons in the country is the desire to protect itself from external aggressors. Interestingly, only the Americans actually used nuclear weapons in World War II against Japan, but the effect of this is still felt in the relevant areas of the country.

Here is a list of ten countries with the largest number nuclear weapons all over the world.

Today, Iran is not a nuclear weapons country because there is only one Islamic country in the world that is considered nuclear weapons - Pakistan. But before that, it was believed that Iran had created several types of nuclear or chemical weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran signed a treaty with the United States to eliminate nuclear weapons, as more than 1,000,000 people were killed during the Iran-Iraq war.

After the fatwa of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran stopped creating nuclear and other types of weapons, and everything created previously was destroyed by the UN Security Agency. But rumors still persist that there are still nuclear weapons left in Iran that have not been destroyed, but no one knows exactly how many.

The country has the official name - Korean People's Democratic Republic. We constantly hear about North Korea in the news as it seeks to increase the number of nuclear weapons. It was also reported that North Korea fired three ballistic missiles towards the United States. This country does not have a good reputation, as it is considered the most hated of all countries in the world.

It is quite difficult to determine the level of well-being of the people due to the closed nature of North Korea, but huge amounts of money are regularly spent on defense. This country created nuclear weapons for defense, tests have already been carried out and the Koreans have about 10 nuclear warheads. But this country is considered one of the most dangerous for life.

Another popular country in the world, officially called Israel, is also considered a Jewish state. On the other hand, Israel is another one of the most hated countries in the world due to its continuous war with Palestine, so it is not only fiercely hated in Muslim countries, but in others too.

It was reported that Israel has a large number of nuclear weapons, but mainly they are being developed with the help of America, which is considered Israel's strategic partner. The state was formed in 1947 and has not expanded its territory due to the war with Palestine, so there are still about 80 nuclear weapons in this country.

India, official name - Republic of India, one of the most important countries in the world and is one of the most large countries, the second largest population in the world with approximately 1.3 billion people.

If we talk about the defense of this country, it has surpassed many countries in the world, because last year it acquired a large number of weapons from Russia, now there are from 90 to 110 nuclear weapons - this is the third figure among all countries in the world. Many of this country's nuclear experiments have failed, but they are constantly being carried out due to the state of cold war on the border with Pakistan.

France

France - extraordinary beautiful country, which is officially called the French Republic and has a population of about 67 million; its capital is Paris, which is also the most beautiful, largest and cultural center peace. The country itself is also considered the cultural center of Europe and has a dominant position in terms of defense.

If we talk about past wars, this country took part in both the First and Second World Wars. France is known as a country of nuclear energy, there are about 300 nuclear weapons, so the defense capability of this beautiful country is also considered the best in the world, as the highly organized army has new technological weapons.

Great Britain

Great Britain is one of the oldest countries in the world, which is also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is also a wealthy country with a population of 65.1 million, making it the fourth most populous country in Europe. The capital of Great Britain is London, it is an important financial center for different nations peace.

The defense capability of this country is considered one of the highest in the world; this country is also a nuclear power, which has about 225 nuclear or chemical weapons. The army is also known throughout the world as one of the best - due to the presence of highly qualified personnel. And this is one of best countries in terms of living conditions, even despite nuclear energy.

China is the most developed country in the world, because almost everything that is used on our planet is produced here. It is the leader in population with more than 1.38 billion inhabitants. This happy country officially called People's Republic China, also the largest electronics manufacturer, ships its goods to almost every country in the world.

China is also a nuclear powered country, so it has 250 nuclear weapons, so the defense of this country is at a very high level due to the use of new technology in making weapons or other equipment used in the army. China is the world's oldest state and occupies the third largest territory in the world, after Russia and Canada.

Pakistan is one of the most beautiful and important countries in the world, appeared on the map in 1947, according to the 1973 constitution, it is called the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It is the second largest Islamic country in the world due to its population of almost 200 million.

Thus, Pakistan is the only Islamic country in the world that has nuclear weapons. Defense is a priority, so no money is saved on purchasing weapons. Pakistan's stockpile is about 120 nuclear weapons.

The United States of America is considered one of the most powerful and influential countries in the world. The country includes 52 states and a total population of 320 million. If we talk about defense capability, this is the most highly organized army, which has new and best weapon, and also this country is number one among the nuclear powers in the world, having almost 7,700 nuclear weapons.

It is the only country to have used nuclear weapons against its population - Japan in 1945 during World War II. The USA has many differences with many countries including Russia, China and Pakistan, hence also considered as the most hated country in the world.

Russia

Russia is also one of the most influential countries in the world, known high quality produced weapons. Official name – Russian Federation. It is the largest country in the world by area, but has a population of about 146 million.

One of the most ancient countries in the world. Russia is largest producer weapons in the world. Its stockpile of nuclear weapons is the largest among all countries in the world, amounting to about 8,500 units. Russia sells weapons to all countries of the world, so there is no doubt about their quality. This allows the country to claim the title of superpower.

The nuclear picture of the world is not limited to the Russian-US biumvirate (see: NVO 09/03/2010 “Nuclear Tandem as a Guarantee of Balance”). As the strategic nuclear forces of the two leading powers are reduced, the strategic potentials of the remaining nuclear states - permanent members of the UN Security Council and countries included in the NPT - become relatively more visible.

Meanwhile, beyond a series of unilateral commitments, data submissions and declarations, they still lack legally binding and verifiable restrictions on their nuclear assets and their development programs.

The “nuclear five” are complemented by four states that have nuclear weapons but are not parties to the NPT. It is with them, as well as with the “threshold” regimes (primarily Iran), that the danger of further nuclear proliferation is now associated, combat use Nuclear weapons in regional conflicts and hits nuclear materials or technologies into the hands of terrorists.

FRANCE – “TRIOMPHANTE” AND “MIRAGE”

This country ranks third in the world in strategic nuclear weapons with its 108 carriers and approximately 300 warheads. France tested nuclear weapons in 1960 and is armed with thermonuclear warheads with a yield of 100–300 kt.

The basis of the French forces at present is 3 Triomphant-class SSBNs with 48 M45 missiles and 240 warheads and one boat of the previous Inflexible type project. One submarine is constantly under repair, and one is on maritime patrol. Interestingly, in order to save money, France supports a set of SLBMs only for operationally deployed missile submarines (i.e., in this case, three). Additionally, the French “Strike Force” includes 60 Mirage 2000N aircraft and 24 carrier-based Super Etandar fighter-bombers, capable of delivering a total of approximately 60 air-to-ground missiles to targets. France has no other nuclear weapons systems.

The modernization program involves the commissioning of the 4th Triomphane-class submarine (instead of the one being withdrawn from combat personnel the last boat of the Inflexible type) and the deployment on all submarine missile carriers of new SLBMs of the M51.1 type with increased range, as well as the adoption of a new aviation system- Raphael-type fighter. The aviation component of the French strategic nuclear forces belongs to the operational-tactical means according to the Russian-American classification, but is part of the strategic " Strike forces» France. In 2009, Paris announced its intention to halve the aviation component, which would reduce the quantitative level of strategic nuclear forces to approximately 100 carriers and 250 warheads.

Having a relatively small nuclear potential, France openly emphasizes a very offensive, even “bully” type of nuclear strategy, which includes the concept of the first use of nuclear weapons, massive and limited strikes against both traditional opponents and “rogue” countries, and Lately and in China (for this purpose a new extended-range SLBM is being created).

At the same time, the level of combat readiness of the French “Strike Forces” has been reduced, although the details of this are unknown. France stopped producing uranium in 1992 and plutonium in 1994, dismantled fissile material production facilities for military purposes (inviting foreign officials to visit them), and closed a nuclear test site in Polynesia. It also announced an upcoming unilateral reduction of its nuclear weapons by a third.

EASTERN NUCLEAR TIGER

The People's Republic of China conducted its first nuclear weapons test in 1964. Currently, China is the only one of the five great powers, permanent members of the UN Security Council and recognized five nuclear powers of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) that does not provide any official information about its armed forces, including nuclear weapons.

The official justification for such secrecy is that Chinese nuclear forces are small in number and technically incomparable to those of other P5 powers, and therefore, in order to maintain its nuclear deterrent, China needs to maintain uncertainty regarding its strategic nuclear forces.

At the same time, China is the only great power that official level accepted a commitment not to be the first to use nuclear weapons, and without any reservations. This commitment is accompanied by some vague unofficial clarification (probably sanctioned by the authorities) that Peaceful time Chinese nuclear warheads are stored separately from missiles. It is also indicated that in the case nuclear strike The task is to deliver warheads to the carriers within two weeks and strike back at the aggressor.

It is generally believed that a nuclear power that has accepted a commitment not to be the first to use nuclear weapons relies on the concept and means of a retaliatory strike. However, according to generally accepted estimates, so far Chinese strategic nuclear forces, as well as missile attack warning systems (AMWS), the infrastructure of points combat control and the ties are too fragile to support a retaliatory strike following a hypothetical disarming nuclear strike by the United States or Russia.

Therefore, the official doctrine of the PRC is interpreted as a predominantly political and propaganda tool (like the Soviet commitment on the no-first use of nuclear weapons from 1982), which does not reflect the real operational planning of strategic nuclear forces, which are actually aimed at a pre-emptive strike in the event of a direct threat of a nuclear attack. Due to the complete secrecy of official data, all assessments of China's nuclear weapons are based on information from foreign government and private sources. Thus, according to some of them, China has about 130 strategic ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads. They include 37 old stationary ICBMs of the Dongfang-4/5A type and 17 old stationary ballistic missiles medium range(MRBM) type "Dongfang-3A". Also deployed about 20 new ground-mobile ICBMs of the Dongfang-31A type (Chinese equivalent Russian missile"Topol") and 60 new ground-mobile MRBM "Dongfang-21". (According to other sources, China has 12 Dongfang-31/31A and 71 Dongfang-21/21A IRBMs.) All of these missiles have a monoblock warhead.

A new ICBM of the Dongfang-41 type with a multiple warhead (6–10 warheads) for ground-mobile and railway-mobile launchers is also being developed (similar to the one removed from service Russian ICBM RS-22). China has periodically put to sea an experimental Xia-class nuclear submarine with 12 Julang-1 SLBM launchers and is building a second Jin-class submarine with longer-range Julang-2 missiles. The aviation component is represented by 20 obsolete Hong-6 type medium bombers, copied from Soviet Tu-16 aircraft produced in the 50s.

Although Beijing denies the presence of operational-tactical nuclear weapons, there are estimates that China has about 100 such weapons deployed.

In total, China's nuclear arsenal is estimated at approximately 180–240 warheads, making it the 4th or 3rd nuclear power behind the United States and Russia (and possibly France), depending on the accuracy of available unofficial estimates. Chinese nuclear warheads are mainly of the thermonuclear class with a power range of 200 kt - 3.3 Mt.

There is no doubt that the economic and technical potential of the PRC allows for the rapid build-up of nuclear missile weapons across the entire range of their classes. It is noteworthy that, apparently in the context of some cunning political line, in contrast to the extremely “modest” strategic declarations at the military parade on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 2009, China clearly sought to impress the whole world with a rapidly growing military power, including strategic nuclear weapons.

BET ON TRIDENTS

The UK is the most open about its nuclear capabilities. Its nuclear weapons were first tested in 1952, and currently British thermonuclear warheads have a yield of about 100 kt and, possibly, the sub-kiloton class.

The country's strategic forces consist of four Vanguard-class submarines, which deploy 48 Trident-2 SLBMs purchased from the United States and 144 British nuclear warheads. The SLBM set, like that of France, is designed for three submarines, since one is constantly under repair. An additional 10 spare missiles and 40 warheads are in storage. There are unofficial estimates that some SLBMs are equipped with a single low-yield warhead and are aimed at rogue states. Britain has no other nuclear forces.

After heated debate in the middle of this decade, it was decided to begin designing a new type of SSBN and planning the purchase of modified Trident 2 missiles from the United States, as well as developing a new type of nuclear warheads for the period after 2024, when the Vanguard submarines reach the end of their service life . It is likely that progress in nuclear disarmament by the United States and Russia (new and subsequent START treaties) will entail a revision of these plans.

Providing options for limited nuclear strikes against “rogue” countries, London (in contrast to Paris) does not emphasize reliance on nuclear weapons and adheres to the strategy of “minimum nuclear deterrence.” It has been officially announced that nuclear forces are in a state of reduced combat readiness and their use will require a long time (weeks) after the transmission of the order from senior management. However, no technical clarification was given in this regard. The United Kingdom has declared the full extent of its fissile material stockpile and has also placed fissile material no longer required for defense purposes under international IAEA safeguards. It made all enrichment and reprocessing facilities available for international inspection by the IAEA and began work on national historical reporting of fissile materials produced.

JERUSALEM NUCLEAR SHIELD

Israel differs from other nuclear states in that it not only does not report official data on its nuclear potential, but also does not confirm its existence. Nevertheless, no one in the world, either in government or private expert circles, questions the presence of nuclear weapons in Israel, and Tel Aviv quite deliberately does not dispute this assessment. Similar to the American line regarding its nuclear weapons on ships and submarines based in Japan, Israel is pursuing a “neither confirm nor deny” nuclear deterrence strategy.

Israel's officially unrecognized nuclear potential, according to the country's leadership, has a very tangible deterrent effect on surrounding Islamic countries and, at the same time, does not aggravate the awkward position of the United States in providing military assistance and political security support to Israel. Open recognition of the fact of possessing nuclear weapons, as Israeli leaders apparently believe, could provoke others Arab countries to withdraw from the NPT and create their own nuclear weapons.

Apparently, Israel developed nuclear weapons in the late 60s. Israeli nuclear warheads are designed on the basis of weapons-grade plutonium, and although they have never undergone full-scale testing, no one doubts their combat effectiveness due to the high scientific and technical level of Israeli nuclear scientists and those who assisted them abroad.

By expert assessments, currently the Israeli nuclear arsenal contains from 60 to 200 warheads of various types. Of these, about 50 are nuclear warheads for 50 medium-range Jericho-2 ballistic missiles (1500–1800 km). They cover almost all countries of the Middle East, including Iran, the Caucasus zone and the southern regions of Russia. In 2008, Israel tested the Jericho-2 missile with a range of 4,800–6,500 km, which corresponds to an intercontinental-class system. The remaining Israeli nuclear warheads are apparently air bombs and can be delivered strike aircraft, primarily with more than 200 American-made F-16 aircraft. Additionally, Israel recently purchased three Dolphin-class diesel-electric submarines from Germany and has ordered two more. Probably, torpedo tubes These boats were adapted to launch tactical SLCMs of the Harpoon type (with a range of up to 600 km), purchased from the United States and capable of striking ground targets, including those with nuclear warheads.

Although Israel, for obvious reasons, does not explain its nuclear doctrine in any way, it is obvious that it provides for the first use of nuclear weapons (preventive or preemptive strike). After all, according to the logic of things, it is designed to prevent the situation, to use the Russian formula Military doctrine, “when the very existence of the state is threatened.” Until now, for 60 years, in all wars in the Middle East, Israel has won victories using only conventional armed forces and weapons. However, each time it was more difficult and cost Israel everything big losses. Apparently, in Tel Aviv they believe that such effectiveness of the application israeli army cannot continue forever - taking into account the vulnerable geostrategic position of the state, the enormous superiority of the surrounding Islamic countries in terms of population, the size of the armed forces, with their volume purchases modern weapons and official declarations about the need to “erase Israel from the political map of the world.”

However, recent trends may call into question Israeli strategy national security. In the event of further proliferation of nuclear weapons, primarily through the acquisition of them by Iran and other Islamic countries, Israel's nuclear deterrent will be neutralized nuclear potential other states in the region. Then a catastrophic defeat of Israel is possible in one of the future wars using conventional weapons or even big disaster as a result of regional nuclear war. At the same time, there is no doubt that Israel’s “anonymous” nuclear potential is a serious problem for strengthening the nuclear weapons non-proliferation regime in the Near and Middle East.

ATOMIC HINDOSTAN

India, along with Pakistan and Israel, belongs to the category of states possessing nuclear weapons that do not have the legal status of a nuclear power under Article IX of the NPT. Delhi does not provide official data on its nuclear forces and programs. Most experts estimate India's potential at approximately 60–70 nuclear warheads based on weapons-grade plutonium with a yield of 15–200 kt. They can be placed on the appropriate number of monoblock tactical missiles(“Prithvi-1” with a range of 150 km), operational-tactical missiles (“Agni-1/2” – from 700 to 1000 km) and medium-range ballistic missiles under testing (“Agni-3” – 3000 km). India is also testing ballistic missiles sea-based short-range type "Dhanush" and K-15. Medium bombers such as the Mirage-1000 Vazhra and Jaguar IS Shamsher can probably serve as carriers of nuclear bombs, as can fighter-bombers such as the MiG-27 and Su-30MKI purchased from Russia, the latter being equipped for in-flight refueling from aircraft Il-78 is also Russian-made.

Having conducted the first test of a nuclear explosive device in 1974 (declared a test for peaceful purposes), India openly tested nuclear weapons in 1998 and declared its nuclear forces as a deterrent to the PRC. However, like China, India has accepted a commitment not to be the first to use nuclear weapons, making an exception for a nuclear retaliatory strike in the event of an attack on it using other types of WMD. Judging by the available information, India, like China, practices separate storage of missile launch vehicles and nuclear warheads.

Pakistan conducted its first nuclear weapons test in 1998 almost simultaneously with India and official purpose containment of the latter. However, the very fact of an almost simultaneous test indicates that the development of nuclear weapons was carried out in Pakistan over a long preceding period, possibly starting with the Indian “peaceful” nuclear experiment of 1974. In the absence of any official information, Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is estimated at approximately 60-plus enriched uranium warheads with yields ranging from the sub-kiloton scale to 50 kt.

As carriers, Pakistan uses two types of operational-tactical ballistic missiles with a range of 400–450 km (type Haft-3 Ghaznavi and Haft-4 Shaheen-1), as well as MRBMs with a range of up to 2000 km (type Haft-5 Ghauri "). New ballistic missile systems medium-range (such as Haft-6 Shaheen-2 and Ghauri-2) are being tested, as are cruise missiles ground-based(type "Haft-7 Babur"), similar in technology to the Chinese GLCM "Dongfang-10". All missiles are placed on ground-mobile launchers and have a monoblock warhead. Cruise missiles The Haft-7 Babur type are also being tested in airborne and sea-based versions - in the latter case, apparently, to equip Agosta-class diesel-electric submarines.

Likely air delivery vehicles include American-made F-16 A/B fighter-bombers, as well as French Mirage-V fighters and Chinese A-5s.

Operational-tactical missiles have been deployed to positions within reach of Indian territory (as well as Indian missiles near Pakistani territory). Medium-range systems cover almost the entire territory of India, Central Asia and Russian Western Siberia.

Pakistan's official nuclear strategy explicitly relies on the concept of a first (preemptive) nuclear strike - citing India's superior capabilities general purpose(like Russia in the context of the superiority of the United States, NATO and, in the future, China). However, according to available information, Pakistani nuclear warheads are stored separately from their carriers, like Indian ones, which implies the dependence of Pakistani nuclear deterrence on timely warning of a possible war with India.

Separate storage in the case of Pakistan is of great importance due to the unstable internal political situation of the country, the great influence of Islamic fundamentalism there (including in the officer corps), and its involvement in the terrorist war in Afghanistan. We also cannot forget the experience of deliberate leakage of nuclear materials and technologies through the network of the “father of the Pakistani atomic bomb” Nobel laureate Abdul Qadir Khan on the global black market.

THE MOST PROBLEM NUCLEAR POWER

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in terms of its nuclear status, is a rather curious legal incident.

From point of view international law The Five Great Powers are made up of the legally recognized nuclear powers under the NPT – “nuclear weapon states” (Article IX). The other three de facto nuclear states (India, Pakistan and Israel) are recognized as such in politically, but are not considered nuclear powers in the legal sense of this concept, since they have never been members of the NPT and cannot join it as nuclear powers according to the mentioned article.

North Korea has become another category - a state with an unrecognized nuclear status. The fact is that the DPRK took advantage of the fruits of peaceful nuclear cooperation with other countries within the framework of the NPT for military purposes, committed clear violations of its articles on IAEA safeguards, and ultimately withdrew from the NPT in 2003 with gross violations of its Article X, which determines the permitted procedure for withdrawal from the Agreement. Therefore, recognizing the DPRK's nuclear status would be tantamount to encouraging flagrant violations of international law and would show dangerous example other possible violating countries.

However, North Korea tested plutonium-based nuclear explosive devices in 2006 and 2009 and, according to expert estimates, has approximately 5-6 such warheads. It is assumed, however, that these warheads are not compact enough to be placed on missile or aircraft carriers. If these warheads were improved, North Korea could theoretically deploy them on several hundred Hwansong-type short-range ballistic missiles and several dozen Nodong-type MRBMs. Tests of Taepodong-type ICBMs in 2007–2009 were unsuccessful.

If equipped with nuclear warheads, Hwangsong missiles could cover the entire South Korea, adjacent areas of the People's Republic of China and Russian Primorye. In addition, Nodong medium-range missiles could reach Japan, central China, Russian Siberia. And the Taepodong intercontinental missiles, if their development is successfully completed, would gain reach to Alaska, Hawaii and the west coast of the main US territory, almost all regions of Asia, the European zone of Russia and even Central and Western Europe.

It is difficult to argue with the fact that further nuclear arms race is pointless. Nuclear powers have accumulated such potential that it is enough for several planets the size of Earth. In the first positions, as before, without a doubt, are the United States of America and Russia. North Korea has also already mastered nuclear technology and now he is only trying to modernize them. We must not forget about countries such as Brazil and Iran, which have long been members of the nuclear “club”. We can say that the world has prepared for the Third World War, but it may be the last. The villain Adolf Hitler would be horrified if he knew about the possibility modern weapons. How do you feel when you are in the position of a man sitting on a keg of gunpowder? Which countries have the most powerful nuclear potential? Let's try to name them, although all this is quite arbitrary, because one can only speculate about the true state of affairs. Let's take a look at five the most powerful nuclear powers in the world for 2019.

No. 5. France

First nuclear tests the country began hosting it in 1960. France has never rattled its nuclear weapons, but without a doubt we can say that today it is one of the most powerful nuclear powers. Some experts believe that we are talking about 290 nuclear bombs.

No. 4. Great Britain

The country began its first development of nuclear weapons in 1952. This project was called "Hurricane". The UK currently has about 250 warheads in its arsenal. The British consider the fact that they have nuclear weapons to be a response to the policies pursued by the Soviet leadership, aimed at increasing their nuclear potential.

No. 3. China

China is believed to be a more powerful nuclear power than it pretends to be. The official data provided by the Chinese authorities seems too underestimated. Moreover, China is trying to compete with the United States and all their actions are aimed at increasing the number of nuclear weapons. The first test dates back to 1964. Now the country rightfully ranks third in this area.

No. 2. United States of America

This may surprise many, but the United States is not in first place, although it certainly is. At least, this is stated by officials, but it is not possible to verify their words, since nuclear secrets are the most hidden information. It is stated that the country has 7,500 nuclear warheads, but no one has any idea about their power. Moreover, America has the most powerful army in the world.

No. 1. Russia

And here is the first place and most powerful nuclear power. The Soviet country conducted its first nuclear weapons tests back in 1949. Throughout its existence, the USSR tirelessly increased its potential and eventually surpassed everyone in the number of nuclear bombs. In addition, the country held the most powerful nuclear explosion. Its justification is considered to be an attempt to intimidate other nuclear countries and thereby curb the arms race. There are currently about 8,500 warheads in the country.

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At the session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, many states have already signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (it was adopted on July 7, 2017 at 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 the official nuclear status, and who doesn’t?

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 suggests that Iran continues to work on creating an atomic bomb, despite the official renunciation of military use nuclear energy and monitoring by the IAEA.

How the number of nuclear warheads changed

Although over time more and more states have begun 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 weakness treaty - it divides the world in the long term 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 nuclear disarmament treaties?

The United States and the USSR/Russia have destroyed a significant number of nuclear warheads and their delivery vehicles since the end of the Cold War. 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. The further fate of the treaty is considered uncertain amid the politics 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. The former republics of the USSR stand apart here, having 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 abandoned 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 can cause a chain reaction when everyone more countries will want to get 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 for its signing, as stated in the official statement of the alliance, “does not take into account the increasingly threatening international situation in the security sector." Jean-Yves Le Drian, France's foreign minister, called the initiative an "almost irresponsible" "self-deception" that would only weaken the non-proliferation treaty, he said.

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 are “the only type of weapons of mass destruction that have not yet been banned, despite their destructive power and threat to humanity.” According to her, with Donald Trump coming to power in the United States, this threat has increased.

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North Korean missiles and bombs

Missile launches in North Korea last years have become noticeably more frequent. Pyongyang is testing ballistic missiles in defiance of UN resolutions and gradually tightening sanctions. Experts do not even rule out the outbreak of hostilities on the Korean Peninsula.



North Korea's missile and nuclear tests: a project of three generations of Kims

Beginning - during the late Kim Il Sung

Although the number of missile tests has increased in the last four years, the first of them were carried out back in 1984 - under then North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. According to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, over the last 10 years of his rule, the DPRK conducted 15 tests, with no launches from 1986 to 1989 inclusive.



North Korea's missile and nuclear tests: a project of three generations of Kims

Kim Jong Il: the beginning of nuclear tests

Kim Jong Il, the son of Kim Il Sung, who led the country in July 1994, also did not stand aside. During the 17 years of his reign, 16 missile tests were carried out, although almost all of them occurred in two years - 2006 (7 launches) and 2009 (8). This is less than in the first 8 months of 2017. However, it was during the reign of Kim Jong Il that Pyongyang conducted its first two nuclear weapons tests - in 2006 and 2009.



North Korea's missile and nuclear tests: a project of three generations of Kims

Kim Jong-un: unprecedented activity

Under the son and grandson of the former rulers, North Korea's missile activity reached an unprecedented level. Over the past 6 years, Pyongyang has already carried out 84 ballistic missile launches. Not all of them were successful; in some cases, the rockets exploded at launch or during flight.



North Korea's missile and nuclear tests: a project of three generations of Kims

Towards Guam

In early August 2017, reports emerged that the North Korean army was developing a plan to launch four medium-range ballistic missiles towards the US military base on the island of Guam in Pacific Ocean. US President Donald Trump's response was predictably harsh and threatening.



North Korea's missile and nuclear tests: a project of three generations of Kims

Over Japanese territory

On August 29, 2017, the DPRK carried out another test, and this time the missile flew over Japanese territory - the island of Hokkaido. Kim Jong-un said that launching a missile towards Japan is preparation for war in the Pacific Ocean.



North Korea's missile and nuclear tests: a project of three generations of Kims

Sixth nuclear

A few days after the missile was launched over Japan, the DPRK announced that it had successfully tested a nuclear weapon, clarifying that it was a hydrogen bomb. This was the sixth underground nuclear explosion carried out by Pyongyang. Experts estimated the bomb's yield to be approximately 100 kilotons.



North Korea's missile and nuclear tests: a project of three generations of Kims

Meetings and condemnatory statements

After almost every North Korean missile or nuclear test, the security councils convene for emergency meetings. different countries and the UN Security Council. But they, like the condemning statements of world leaders, have not yet brought any effect.