List of states with nuclear weapons

List of states with nuclear weapons refers to the countries that have successfully developed and currently possess nuclear weapons. As of 2021, there are nine countries that are known to have nuclear weapons. These countries are the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea.

History

The development of nuclear weapons began in the early 20th century, with significant advancements made during World War II. The Manhattan Project, led by the United States with assistance from the United Kingdom and Canada, resulted in the creation of the first nuclear weapons. The first nuclear weapon was detonated by the United States in July 1945, marking the beginning of the nuclear age.

Current Nuclear States

United States

The United States was the first country to develop and use nuclear weapons. It remains one of the world's leading nuclear powers, with a significant arsenal of nuclear warheads.

Russia

Russia, as the successor state to the Soviet Union, inherited a vast nuclear arsenal. It remains one of the world's leading nuclear powers, alongside the United States.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom developed its own nuclear weapons in the 1950s. It maintains a smaller arsenal compared to the United States and Russia.

France

France developed nuclear weapons in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It maintains a significant arsenal of nuclear warheads.

China

China developed nuclear weapons in the 1960s. It is one of the five nuclear-weapon states recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

India

India developed nuclear weapons in the 1970s. It is not a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Pakistan

Pakistan developed nuclear weapons in the late 1990s, in response to India's nuclear program. It is also not a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Israel

Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, although it has never officially confirmed or denied this. It is not a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

North Korea

North Korea announced that it had developed nuclear weapons in 2005. It withdrew from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 2003.

See Also

• Nuclear disarmament
• Nuclear proliferation
• Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons