Countries of the world with nuclear weapons. Nuclear powers of the world

North Korea successfully tested an intercontinental missile, but it is not the only country threatening the world with nuclear weapons

The US military believes that the latest missile launched by the DPRK belongs to the intercontinental class. Experts say that it is capable of reaching Alaska, which means it poses a direct threat to the United States.

"A Gift for the Yankees"

North Korea launched the Hwangsong-14 missile on the morning of Tuesday, July 4. On this day, America celebrates Independence Day. The rocket flew 933 km in 39 minutes - not far, but this is because it was launched very high. The highest point of the trajectory was at a distance of 2,802 km above sea level.

The Hwangsong-14 rocket before launch. Photo: Reuters/KCNA

She fell into the sea between North Korea and Japan.

But if Pyongyang had a goal to attack any country, the missile would be capable of covering a distance of 7000-8000 km, which is enough to reach not only Japan, but also Alaska.

North Korea says it is capable of equipping its missile with a nuclear warhead. Nuclear weapons experts doubt whether Pyongyang has the at the moment technology that would allow the production of fairly compact warheads.

However, the tests of Hwangsong-14 occurred earlier and were more successful than expected, he noted in a commentary for Reuters American expert from missile weapons John Schilling.

"Even if it's a missile with a range of 7,000 km, a missile with a range of 10,000 km that could hit New York is not a distant prospect," the head of the nuclear weapons nonproliferation program told The New York Times. East Asia Middlebury Institute of International Studies Geoffrey Lewis.

Approximate range of the Hwangsong-14 missile. Infographic: CNN

The launch demonstrated that no sanctions apply to the DPRK. On the contrary, threats only encourage the country's leader Kim Jong-un to continue to rattle his weapons and demonstrate the power of his arsenal.

After the tests, he was quoted by North Korea's State News Agency as saying that the US would not like "a package of gifts for their Independence Day." Kim Jong-un ordered scientists and military personnel to “send large and small gift packages to the Yankees more often.”

China and Russia issued a joint statement calling on the DPRK to stop its missile and nuclear programs, and the United States and South Korea to refrain from conducting large-scale military exercises.

However, Washington did not heed the calls of Moscow and Beijing. On Wednesday morning, they carried out demonstration launches of Hyunmu II missiles, which are capable of hitting targets at a distance of 800 km.

Tensions are rising and the world is talking about nuclear war. However, North Korea is not the only country capable of starting it. Today, seven more countries officially have a nuclear arsenal. We can safely add Israel to them, although it has never officially admitted that it has nuclear weapons.

Russia is the leader in terms of quantity

The United States and Russia together own 93% of the world's nuclear arsenal.

Distribution of the world's nuclear arsenal. Infographic: Arms Control Association, Hans M. Kristensen, Robert S. Norris, U.S. Department of State

According to official and unofficial estimates, cumulatively Russian Federation has 7,000 nuclear weapons. Such data is provided by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and the American organization Arms Control Association.

According to data exchanged between the Russian Federation and the United States as part of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, as of April 2017, Russia had 1,765 strategic warheads.

They are deployed on 523 long-range missiles, submarines and strategic bombers. But this is only about deployed, that is, ready-to-use nuclear weapons.

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) estimates that Russia has approximately 2,700 non-deployed strategic, as well as deployed and non-deployed tactical warheads. In addition, 2,510 warheads are awaiting dismantlement.

Russia, as the site claims in a number of publications National Interest, is modernizing its nuclear weapons. And in some respects it was ahead of its main enemy - the United States.

It is at them that the power of the Russian nuclear potential is mainly directed. And Russian propagandists never tire of reminding us of this. The most striking in this matter was, of course, Dmitry Kiselev with his “nuclear ash”.

However, there are also opposing assessments, according to which the lion's share of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads are hopelessly outdated.

USA at a crossroads

In total, the Americans currently have 6,800 nuclear weapons. Of these deployed, according to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty as of April 2017, 1,411 are strategic warheads. They are deployed on 673 long-range missiles, submarines and strategic bombers.

FAS assumes that in addition the US has 2,300 non-deployed strategic warheads and 500 deployed and non-deployed tactical warheads. And another 2,800 warheads await dismantling.

With its arsenal, the United States threatens many adversaries, not only Russia.

For example, the same North Korea and Iran. However, according to many experts, it is outdated and needs modernization.

Interestingly, in 2010, Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev signed the aforementioned Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, also known as the “Fresh Start”. But the same Obama stimulated the deployment of missile defense systems in the United States and Europe, his administration launched the process of developing and deploying new ground-based launchers for long-range missiles.

The Trump administration has plans to continue the process of modernizing weapons, including nuclear,

Nuclear Europe

Among the European countries, the only ones that have nuclear arsenals are France and Great Britain. The first is armed with 300 nuclear warheads. Most of them are equipped to launch from submarines. France has four of them. Not large number- for launch from the air, from strategic bombers.

The British have 120 strategic warheads. Of these, 40 are deployed at sea on four submarines. This is, in fact, the country's only type of nuclear weapons - it has neither ground nor air forces armed with nuclear warheads.

In addition, the UK has 215 warheads stored at bases but not deployed.

Secret China

Since Beijing has never made public information about its nuclear arsenal, it can only be estimated. In June 2016, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists suggested that overall China has 260 nuclear warheads. Also available information indicates that it increases their number.

China also has all three main methods of delivering nuclear weapons - ground-based, nuclear submarines And strategic bombers.

One of China's newest intercontinental ballistic missiles, Dongfeng-41 (DF41), was located near the border with Russia in January 2017. But in addition to difficult relations with Moscow, Beijing also has tense relations with neighboring India.

There is also an unconfirmed theory that China is helping North Korea develop its nuclear program.

Sworn neighbors

India and Pakistan, unlike the previous five countries, are developing their nuclear program outside the framework of the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. At the same time, both countries have a long-standing enmity, regularly threaten each other with the use of force, and armed incidents regularly occur on the Indo-Pakistani border.

But in addition, they also have other conflicting relationships. For India it is China, and for Pakistan it is Israel.

Both countries do not hide the fact that they have nuclear programs, but their details are not publicly disclosed.

India is believed to have between 100 and 120 nuclear warheads in its inventory. The country is actively developing its arsenal. One of latest achievements began successful tests of intercontinental missiles "Agni-5" and "Agni-6", which are capable of delivering a warhead to a distance of 5000-6000 km.

At the end of 2016, India commissioned its first nuclear-powered submarine, the Arihant. It also plans to purchase from France 36 Rafale combat aircraft by 2019, capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The country currently has several older aircraft for this purpose - the French Mirage, the Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar and the Russian Su-30.

Pakistan has between 110 and 130 nuclear warheads in its inventory. The country began to develop its nuclear program after India conducted its first nuclear weapons test in 1974. She is also in the process of expanding her arsenal.

Currently nuclear missiles Pakistan - short and medium range. There are rumors that he is developing the Taimur intercontinental missile with a range of 7,000 km. The country also intends to build its own nuclear submarine. And Pakistan's Mirage and F16 aircraft are rumored to have been modified to carry nuclear weapons.

Israel's deliberate ambiguity

SIPRI, FAS and other organizations that monitor the development of nuclear weapons in the world claim that Israel has 80 nuclear warheads in its arsenal. In addition, it has stockpiles of fissile material to manufacture an additional 200 warheads.

Israel, like India and Pakistan, has not signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, thereby retaining the right to develop it. But unlike India and Pakistan, it has never announced its nuclear program and pursues a so-called policy of deliberate ambiguity on this issue.

In practice, this means that Israel never confirms or denies the assumption that it has nuclear weapons.

It is believed that Israel developed nuclear warheads in a secret underground plant located in the middle of the desert. It is also assumed to have all three main means of delivery: land-based launchers, submarines and combat aircraft.

Israel is understandable. It is surrounded on all sides by states hostile to it, which do not hide their desire to “throw Israel into the sea.” However, the policy of ambiguity is often criticized by those who consider it a manifestation of double standards.

Iran, which also tried to develop a nuclear program, was severely punished for this. Israel did not experience any sanctions.

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 of 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 weapons 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 operation of the second phase, a phase with thermonuclear fusion is connected to fission reactions. 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 made a grand discovery in the scientific world. 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. Cockcroft 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, scientists in Germany, the Soviet Union and the United States were studying scientific research and nuclear weapons development. 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 a key factor in victory, then they could have been 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;
• United Kingdom;
• 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 are scattered throughout the globe.

In 1968, they signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Later in 1986 they signed the Treaty on the Prohibition nuclear tests. 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, V 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 delivery vehicles. This ammunition is intended for use by missile forces, naval strategic forces and strategic aviation. Over the past decade, Russia's operational nuclear stockpile has 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 countries. 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

According to American experts, 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, medium-range ballistic missiles, and extended-range missiles. Being an illegal possessor of 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. There is no exact 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 owns single-stage rockets medium-range missile mobile complex "Musudan".

The reaction of the international community to the creation and testing of nuclear weapons has been 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 the “Nuclear Club”) are taking a wide variety of measures to reduce the number of these weapons, as well as guarantees for their non-use.

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 first used atomic bomb, dropping it in Japan on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 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, for the first time in the world, it was produced nuclear explosion the first bomb "Trinity". 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 has in its arsenal launchers intercontinental ballistic missile systems capable of carrying nuclear combat missiles (Topol-M, YaRS). The Russian Navy has submarines with ballistic missiles. 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.

United Kingdom

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-time partners and cooperate on nuclear issue since 1958, when a mutual defense treaty was signed between the countries. 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 recent years the situation has worsened korean peninsula and North Korea periodically threatens the United States with a nuclear bomb if it continues to interfere in the conflict with South Korea.

Israel

• allegedly tested a nuclear warhead in 1979.

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

Iran

This power world community accuses him 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.

Image source: © EPA/KCNA

Strength, composition and number of recent arguments in international politics

On September 3, North Korea conducted another nuclear test. According to official statements from Pyongyang, a hydrogen charge was detonated. Estimates of the power of the detonated bomb vary: according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, it amounted to 120 kilotons, according to South Korea - 100.

The DPRK conducted five nuclear tests from 2006 to 2016, the current one being the sixth. However, this time, according to the KCNA agency, the mass and dimensions of the exploded charge are suitable for use as a warhead (warhead) of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

About who owns the most today destructive weapons throughout the history of mankind, in what quantity and quality - in the TASS material.

NUCLEAR POTENTIAL OF THE DPRK

According to the American non-governmental Institute of Science and international security(INMB), North Korea's nuclear arsenal ranges from 13 to 21 nuclear warheads. According to US experts, by 2020 Pyongyang will have from 20 to 125 nuclear explosive devices. Plutonium for nuclear warheads is produced by the DPRK at the nuclear research center in Yongbyon.

Rights and Responsibilities

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was signed in 1968 and entered into force in 1970. The USA, Great Britain, France, China and the USSR then received the status of official nuclear powers. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia retained this status, and Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine joined the NPT as non-nuclear weapons states.

The Treaty defined that “a state possessing nuclear weapons (NW) is a state that produced and detonated a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device before January 1, 1967.”

The document contains reciprocal obligations of nuclear and non-nuclear states. The former pledged “not to transfer to anyone these weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, as well as control over them, either directly or indirectly, nor in any way to assist, encourage or induce any state that does not possess nuclear weapons , the production or acquisition by any other means of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, as well as control over them." States that do not possess nuclear weapons have pledged not to produce or acquire them. The Treaty does not prohibit the placement of nuclear weapons on the territory of states that do not possess them.

The NPT also established the right of all parties to research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The International Atomic Energy Agency monitors the fulfillment of non-proliferation obligations by non-nuclear countries.

An important addition to the treaty was the UN resolution of June 19, 1968 and statements by three nuclear powers (USSR, USA and Great Britain) on security guarantees for member states that do not possess nuclear weapons - in the event of a nuclear attack on a non-nuclear state or the threat of such an attack, the UN Security Council and First of all, its permanent members possessing nuclear weapons must act immediately to repel aggression.

There are currently 191 states participating in the treaty. India and Pakistan remain outside the document; in 2003, the DPRK finally withdrew from it (participated in the NPT in 1985–1993 and 1994–2003). The status of Israel remains unknown: if India, Pakistan and the DPRK actually possess nuclear weapons, then Israel does not officially confirm or deny the presence of such weapons, although, according to experts, it has both carriers and technical capabilities for the production of nuclear weapons.

Nuclear Club

According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) published in July 2017, total quantity nuclear weapons in the world are decreasing. The total number of warheads today is estimated at 14,935, in 2016 - 15,395. By the beginning of this year, nine nuclear powers, the institute notes - the USA, Russia, Great Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and the DPRK - had 4.15 thousand operationally deployed* (SIPRI terminology in this case differs from the generally accepted one, more details below - TASS note) nuclear weapons units.

Basically, the numerical reduction in the world's nuclear weapons stockpiles is due to the United States and Russia, which account for about 93% of the total volume of all arsenals. However, the report notes, despite ongoing work on the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-3), the pace of reduction remains slow. At the same time, both countries - the United States and Russia - are carrying out large-scale and expensive modernization of their nuclear stockpiles, writes SIPRI.

SIPRI data by country:

• Russia - 7 thousand warheads (including 1.95 thousand deployed*, 2.35 thousand are in storage and can be used after preparation, including transportation and installation on carriers, and 2.7 thousand have been removed from service and awaiting disposal);
• USA - 6.8 thousand nuclear warheads (1.8 thousand, 2.2 thousand and 2.8 thousand, respectively);
• Great Britain - 215 (120 and 95; no warheads removed from service);
• France - 300 (280, 10 and 10);
• China - 270** (SIPRI indicates “all in storage”, but in reality the number of warheads on China’s deployed carriers is unknown);
• India - 120–130 (all in storage);
• Pakistan - 130–140 (all in storage);
• Israel - 80 (all in storage);
• DPRK - 10–20 (estimated data, since no open sources certifying that the country has produced or deployed that number of warheads).

* By deployed, the Stockholm Institute means warheads installed on missiles or located at operational force bases.

**According to other estimates, China’s nuclear potential is at least 400 warheads for all intercontinental, medium, operational-tactical range and tactical delivery vehicles.

Difference in wording

Reports on the reduction of strategic nuclear weapons of Russia and the United States within the framework of New START are regularly published on the State Department website. The treaty entered into force in February 2011 and stipulates that within seven years the nuclear potentials of Russia and the United States should be reduced to 1.55 thousand charges on deployed carriers.

As follows from the latest State Department report dated July 1 of this year, which contains data on the exchange of information between the Russian Federation and the United States on reductions, the Russian Federation has in its arsenal 1,765 thousand nuclear warheads on deployed carriers (ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles- ICBMs, submarine-launched ballistic missiles - SLBMs, strategic cruise missiles on strategic bombers), the United States has 1,411 thousand. The document also indicates that Russia has 523 deployed nuclear weapons carriers and 816 including non-deployed ones. USA, respectively - 673 and 820.

These figures are significantly less than those stated in the SIPRI report. This is primarily due to the fact that the institute, when speaking about “deployed combat units,” also takes into account charges that are not on carriers. According to START-3, only combat units on deployed carriers (ICBMs, SLBMs and strategic bombers) are taken into account.

In addition, the Institute takes into account tactical nuclear weapons in “deployed warheads,” which may include bombs, torpedoes, mines, artillery shells, ballistic missiles with a range of less than 500 km, nuclear parts anti-aircraft missiles, depth charges, etc. Thus, in the case of the United States, SIPRI notes that of the 1.8 deployed warheads of the United States, the share of strategic ones is 1.65 thousand, the remaining 150 are tactical nuclear bombs, delivered by the Americans to Europe for the aviation of other NATO countries.

Another nuance is how the number of warheads on deployed strategic bombers is calculated according to START-3. The text of the treaty states a formal rule: “for each deployed heavy bomber, one nuclear warhead is counted.” That is, one bomber - one nuclear warhead (strategic cruise missile long range), although in practice a strategic bomber can carry several of them. At the same time, all warheads on ICBMs and SLBMs according to START-3 are taken into account.

As a result, the difference in the State Department and SIPRI data on the number of warheads on alert for both the Russian Federation and the United States is about 200: for Russia SIPRI calls 1.95 thousand charges, the State Department - 1.765 thousand, for the USA - 1.65 thousand and 1,411 thousand, respectively.

An interesting fact is that, according to analysts at the Stockholm Institute, the United States has significantly a large number stored strategic nuclear warheads (intended for ICBMs, SLBMs and strategic bombers). The institute points out that the United States has 2,200 warheads in warehouses across the country, only 150 of which are tactical nuclear bombs. In Russia, SIPRI notes, of the 2.35 thousand charges in storage, most of them are tactical - 1.85 thousand. *** Thus, the United States has 2.05 thousand strategic charges in its warehouses, the Russian Federation has only 500, that is, four times less.

***To what extent the institute’s data on tactical nuclear weapons correspond to reality is not possible to establish, since neither the United States nor the Russian Federation have ever officially disclosed this information.

The SIPRI report states that at the beginning of 2017, Russia had about 4.3 thousand deployed (in the institute’s terminology) and centrally stored nuclear warheads. There are 2.46 thousand of them - strategic warheads and 1.85 thousand - tactical ones (all in warehouses). Speaking about strategic warheads, SIPRI notes: "... Of these, about 1.95 thousand were deployed on ballistic missiles and strategic aviation bases." Probably, in the second case, we mean strategic aviation cruise missiles that are available in arsenals and are ready for immediate use on aircraft. Another 2,700 obsolete warheads were awaiting disposal at the beginning of the year, the institute’s report says. Russia, like the United States, has a full-fledged nuclear triad.

One of the noticeable differences between Russian strategic nuclear forces and the United States is the presence of mobile systems in the ground component. If in America ICBMs are placed exclusively in stationary silo installations, then Rocket Forces strategic purpose(Strategic Missile Forces), along with silos, use mobile ground-based missile systems "Topol", "Topol-M" and "Yars". Due to permanent shift dislocations, they cannot be destroyed during preventive nuclear strike, it is also difficult to monitor their movements using space photo reconnaissance.

It is curious that during all this time the Strategic Missile Forces never participated in battles, but their presence in Russia, as well as the presence of sea- and air-based strategic nuclear forces, guaranteed its security, sovereignty, independence and status of a great world power

Victor Litovkin

TASS military observer

It is expected that in 2018, Russia will recreate another mobile means of deploying ICBMs - the Barguzin combat railway missile systems (BZHRK), which will be able to carry six Yars or Yars-M missiles. It was planned to put the complex into operation in 2019–2020. According to former boss According to Viktor Yesin, the main headquarters of the Strategic Missile Forces, the creation of Barguzin is the Russian response to the deployment by the Americans of a global missile defense system.

In addition, work continues on a promising mine missile system strategic purpose "Sarmat". It should replace the R-36M2 Voevoda missile. It is expected payload new rocket will reach 10 tons versus approximately 8.75 tons for its predecessor.

As of March 1, 2017, the Russian Navy includes 13 nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles. The core consists of six missile carriers of project 667BDRM "Dolphin", equipped with ballistic missiles "Sineva" and their modification "Liner". Three submarines of the earlier project 667BDR "Squid" and one project 941UM "Akula" - "Dmitry Donskoy" - remain in service.

Three new Project 955 Borei nuclear submarines armed with Bulava ICBMs are also on combat watch. In total, eight such missile carriers are planned to be built by 2021, five of them of the modernized Project 955A.

The basis of the so-called nuclear aircraft fleet of the Russian Aerospace Forces is the strategic missile carriers Tu-160 (16 aircraft), Tu-95MS and Tu-95MSM (60 aircraft).

• United Kingdom

The United Kingdom became the third country to independently develop nuclear weapons. Between 1952 and 1991, the country conducted 45 nuclear weapons tests. The UK has only one component of the nuclear triad - submarine-launched ballistic missiles. As part of the Royal navy There are four Vanguard-class nuclear submarines carrying 16 Trident II ballistic missiles. The only location where the submarines are based is the Faslane base, located northwest of Glasgow, Scotland.

Trident II is a US-made three-stage solid-fuel SLBM. The UK purchases them from the US but installs its own warheads.

Until the end of the 1990s, Great Britain was armed with Avro Vulcan strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear and thermonuclear bombs, as well as one Blue Steel strategic cruise missile with a 1.1 megaton warhead.

According to SIPRI, Britain's nuclear arsenal will be reduced from 215 warheads (both deployed and in storage) to 180 by mid-2020.

• France

Historical member of the "nuclear club". The official decision to launch a national nuclear program was made by the republic in 1958 - then the chairman of the Council of Ministers, Felix Gaillard. In fact, France received the status of a nuclear power after the USA, USSR and Great Britain during the reign of Charles de Gaulle, when in 1960 the first French atomic bomb was tested in the Sahara Desert in Algeria.

Today the country has about 300 strategic warheads. France uses submarine-launched ballistic missiles and air-launched tactical cruise missiles as delivery vehicles.

SSBN Le Triomphant in dock.

Source: DCNS

The main striking force of the French Navy is four Triomphant-class nuclear-powered missile submarines, three of which are on permanent combat duty. Each such submarine has 16 M51 ballistic missiles with a maximum flight range of 9 thousand km.

Aviation component - tactical cruise missiles ASMP-A, which can be installed on combat aircraft Rafale and Mirage 2000, based at Istres and Saint-Dizier airfields. The Rafale MF3 modification can also be used from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

The country's authorities emphasize that France's nuclear forces are purely defensive. In 1992, Paris acceded to the NPT, and in 1998, the French side ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

• China

China developed nuclear weapons with the help of the USSR: in the late 1950s Soviet Union transferred manufacturing technology to the PRC and sent a large number of specialists in the production of nuclear weapons. The Chinese managed to master the production of nuclear charges in a fairly short period of time, and USSR assistance was curtailed by 1960.

Today, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is armed with land-based ICBMs and submarine-launched missiles. The PLA's arsenal does not exceed 75 ballistic missiles, and this number includes both silo-based and mobile ground-based ICBMs, as well as SLBM submarines of the Xia and Jin projects.

The PLA bomber aviation, consisting of Xian H-6 aircraft (a modification of the Soviet Tu-16 bomber, produced at Chinese enterprises), can also be classified as strategic nuclear forces.

The PLA Navy currently operates the Julang II sea-launched missile. Its flight range exceeds 8 thousand km, the missile’s mass is 20 tons, and its length is about 11 meters. The carriers of this type of weapons are the Project 094 Jin strategic nuclear submarines.

In August of this year, it became known that PLA Navy specialists were working on the creation of a new sea-based ICBM, the Julang III. It is expected that its efficiency will be significantly superior to Julang II.

In addition, the PRC has a large number nuclear warheads for medium- and operational-tactical-range ballistic missiles. Their exact number unknown.

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India and Pakistan still refuse to sign the NPT, although the world community views them as unofficial but actual possessors of nuclear weapons. There is currently no reliable information about the number of Indian and Pakistani nuclear warheads. According to some reports, these countries have not yet managed to produce thermonuclear (hydrogen) ammunition; the power of the existing ones is estimated at 10–25 kilotons.

• India

According to SIPRI, India's nuclear arsenal is growing year by year. If in 2016, according to the institute, the country had 110–120 nuclear warheads, this year their number increased to 130.

The first nuclear weapons test (Operation Smiling Buddha) was conducted by India on May 8, 1974.

In April 2012, the Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile was tested for the first time. Like other missiles in this series, it is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead weighing up to one ton. The launch took place at a maximum range exceeding 5 thousand km. It is planned that the missile may be put into service in the near future.

Indian Agni-IV intermediate range ballistic missile.

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 of nuclear weapons in a 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's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 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 has been reported that Israel has a large number of nuclear weapons, but they are mainly 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 carried out continuously 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 most cultural center in the world. 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 the 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.

United Kingdom

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. Besides this, this rich country With a population of 65.1 million, it is 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 used on our planet is produced here. It is the leader in population with more than 1.38 billion inhabitants. This happy country is 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 energy country, so there are 250 nuclear weapons here, so the defense of this country is very high level due to the use of new technologies in the manufacture of 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. This is the most big country world's largest in area, but its population is 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.