The nuclear arms race began at the end of World War II when the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. Since then, several countries have prepared their own nuclear devices and others are working on their production.

United States

Nuclear testing began during World War II and ended in the early 1990s after the collapse of communism. The United States still has the largest number of operational warheads (more than 2,000), while thousands more have now been dismantled.

Americans also have nuclear weapon, stationed in other NATO countries. Together with Russia, the USA is a member of the club atomic weapons that have air, sea and ground-based nuclear weapons. For two decades, the United States has worked with Russia to reduce the number of nuclear weapons around the world.

Russia

Russia conducted its first nuclear test in 1949, four years after the Americans bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. During the Cold War, the arms race led to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Today Russia has about 1,700 operational warheads. However, nuclear experts fear that after some 1,990 warheads may have fallen into the hands of third parties and are thus not accounted for.

Great Britain

Britain joined the nuclear club in 1951 and has about 160 warheads, which can only be delivered by submarines.

France

France is the third largest nuclear power after the United States and Russia. The country can launch its 300 warheads either from the air or from the sea.

China

Communist China began a nuclear program in the 1950s after the US moved some of its own warheads to Asia during the Korean War. Currently, China can deploy land-based and air-launched missiles, and in the near future will be able to deliver them by submarines.

India

India tested its first nuclear weapon in 1974 because it saw neighboring China and Pakistan as the main threat in the region. India has ground and air based weapons that could be put into operation in a short time.

Pakistan

After conflicts and regional wars with India in the last forty years, Pakistan tested its first combat weapon in 1998 and is said to have 100 warheads.

Israel

Although Israel has never confirmed testing an atomic weapon, experts believe the country has had a nuclear weapons program for decades. Israel likely has at least 80 missiles on the ground that can carry nuclear warheads.

North Korea

North Korea has been conducting underground testing in the past few years. Western experts believe the communist state has enough plutonium to build atomic bombs, but they doubt the country can deliver them onto rockets. Sanctions against the country came into force several years ago, after negotiations that failed to stop the program.

Nuclear testing in North Korea

Iran

The Western world is also concerned about Iran's plans to build an atomic bomb. The International Atomic Energy Commission says it has strong evidence that Iran is producing plutonium for bombs. Iranian leaders have repeatedly stated that they are only enriching uranium for nuclear power. The United Nations has placed sanctions on the countries in an attempt to stop Iran's program.

Several other states at one time also had nuclear weapons programs or had already produced warheads. Former states Soviet Union, including Ukraine and Kazakhstan, possessed nuclear warheads when the country collapsed, but returned it back to Russia in subsequent years.

South Africa developed nuclear weapons during the apartheid years but stopped them in 1990. Saddam Hussein was thinking about developing his own nuclear weapons in Iraq. In 2003, the United States invaded the country because they thought the dictator had weapons of mass destruction.

Argentina, Brazil and South Korea stopped their nuclear programs many years ago.

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. 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 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 against it or its allies mass destruction, as well as any other, if the very existence of the state is threatened.

As of 2017, Russia has launchers in its arsenal missile systems intercontinental ballistic missiles, capable of carrying nuclear combat missiles (Topol-M, YaRS). Navy The Russian Armed Forces have 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 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 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 dangerous bomb and in 2006 conducted its underground test for the first time. The second explosion was carried out in 2009. And in 2012 it officially declared itself a nuclear power. IN last 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 was released in uranium great amount 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.

05/13/2015 at 18:08 · Johnny · 105 040

Top 10 nuclear powers in the world

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. From the moment of this bombing, the nuclear arms race of various countries entered a new phase, and under the pretext of nuclear deterrence it never stopped.

10. 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 it would take more time to develop a modern, operational atomic bomb he needs a maximum of five years.

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.

9. 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.

Currently, Israel does not seek to maintain its reputation as a nuclear power, however, 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.

8.

• 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.

7.

• 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 a real threat arose, Pakistan would 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.

6. 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 destination using aircraft and surface ships. In addition, its nuclear missile submarines are in the final stages of development.

The first nuclear test conducted by India had the 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.

5.

• 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, the People's Republic of China 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.”

4.

• 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.

3.

• 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.

2. 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 its own name “Joe-1”.

The Tsar Bomba is by far the heaviest atomic weapon of all time. It was tested in 1967, detonating 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.

1. United States of America

• 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 nuclear warhead delivery range of 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, more than twenty secret facilities operate within the North American nuclear program. 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

We, of course, live in a time of peace, but still some things that are not so peaceful take place.

After all, every country, no matter what pacifist worldview its leaders may have, must take care of the safety of its citizens. And this is done, among other things, thanks to worthy confrontation with other countries.

Of course, there are many methods of confrontation, but it is still very important not to use weapons, but at least to let them know that they are available - then there will be no need to “quarrel”.

That's why countries are trying to arm themselves. And arming your people in this context is not very effective - that’s why they resort to nuclear weapons. And now it is already capable of inspiring shock and awe in anyone. That is why its presence is so valued among countries.

But which countries are particularly successful in this? There are several of the most protected leaders who have an impressive nuclear reserve. The most powerful nuclear countries in the world included in our top 10 are such that it is better not to argue with them, because in this case it will obviously not be worse for them. This is such a force - nuclear weapons. Destructive and very impressive.

10. Canada

Although Canada has not yet made any announcements about nuclear capabilities, this does not mean that it does not have them. It’s just that, as it is believed, the country’s potential, although great, is not enough for it to become a full-scale nuclear power.

But when it comes to nuclear weapons trade, Canada is at a very low level. high level, occupying significant positions in this area.

9. Israel

Israel also has not officially declared itself a nuclear country, but this also does not mean that it is not one; on the contrary, many believe that its nuclear potential is very considerable.

Of course, it is impossible to estimate everything with sufficient accuracy, but rough estimates give from eighty to two hundred warheads, which, in principle, is a sufficiently significant number so that in the event of a threat, the country could counter something to its potential enemy.

8. North Korea

When we think about nuclear weapons, the first thing we often think about is North Korea. This is evidenced by the various loud statements that have been made by this country over the years.

Initially, the country was part of the NPT, but then declared that it was a nuclear power. All the same, the country is a relative newcomer in this area, and it is unknown how many warheads it currently has, but this number is probably measured in the dozens.

7. Pakistan

If we talk about military power, then few of the world's countries can, in principle, compare with Pakistan. When he was exposed to Indian influence, he acquired nuclear energy as a countermeasure.

Tests were carried out that served as a kind of deterrent that could deter other countries from invading the territory. Roughly, the country may have up to one hundred and ten warheads that are currently active.

6. India

Another fairly large nuclear power. The local nuclear program began in the year when the country was actively developing its independence. Initially, it was stated that all this would be used only for peaceful purposes, in order to maintain peace.

But then came large-scale nuclear tests, which hinted that in truth the goals were not so peaceful. And the country has, it is believed, about one hundred warheads.

5. China

It would be strange for such a large country as China not to care about its security. Hence the need to acquire nuclear weapons. It was purchased in 1964. The country is an active participant in the treaty on the non-proliferation of such weapons. However, China has quite a few weapons - about two hundred and forty warheads are currently believed to be active and ready for “use.” Of course, this number is approximate.

4. France

Although France is generally considered to be something associated with romance and love, one should not forget that it used to be an imperial country, and therefore everything regarding military affairs is decided quite seriously there. France places concern for its safety at a very high place. As for nuclear weapons, they have been present since 1960. There are believed to be between 290 and 300 warheads, a number greater than that of larger China.

3. UK

The UK is among the countries that have owned a sufficient number of nuclear weapons for a very long time, since 1952. One can also highlight the fact that this country most actively called on other states for nuclear weapons. But Great Britain also distinguished itself personally by acquiring a huge nuclear stockpile. Up to 225 warheads are at its disposal and are ready for active use in the event of any emergency. The quantity is very considerable.

2. Russia

Russia was forced to join the list of nuclear countries by the US attack on Japan. As a result, the first experiments began in 1949. They were successful, because gradually the number of weapons at the country’s disposal grew. Now it has become very large. The exact number of warheads that are active at a given time is unknown, but experts estimate the upper ceiling at approximately eight and a half thousand.

1. United States

This country, no matter how skeptical many may be, is still the most developed in nuclear terms. This is, at the same time, the most best example how not to use such weapons stockpiles. Because the country’s interference in the lives of other countries, including with the use of nuclear weapons, has already become a canonical example. But this does not negate the huge number of warheads, which range from more than two thousand to about 7.7 thousand.

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 states that do not have nuclear status, are capable of creating nuclear weapons, but refrain, due to political and military inexpediency, from becoming nuclear states - the so-called “latent” nuclear states (Argentina, Brazil, Taiwan, 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