There are two terms in reference to this concept. States with nuclear arsenals are the United States, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, Republic of France, People's Republic of China, State of Israel, Republic of India, and Pakistan. North Korea has detonated warheads, but the existence of an arsenal is unknown. Nuclear capable states often regard those with the knowledge, technology and infrastructure to where they can rapidly design, fabricate, test and deploy a nuclear weapon. These notable states include Japan and Brazil. There are also NATO states in Europe with forward deployed American strategic warheads, making these states defacto nuclear.
In 1985, the countries known to possess nuclear weapons capabilities included the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, France, and China. Additionally, India had conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, although it was not recognized as a nuclear weapons state under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). South Africa had developed nuclear weapons but dismantled its program in the early 1990s. Other nations, such as Israel, were widely believed to have nuclear weapons, although they maintained a policy of ambiguity.
Leader Development & National Interests
The purpose of nuclear warfare primarily lies in deterrence, as nations possess nuclear weapons to prevent adversaries from engaging in aggressive actions due to the fear of catastrophic retaliation. Additionally, some states may view nuclear capabilities as a means to assert power and influence on the global stage. However, the actual use of nuclear weapons is often seen as a last resort due to the devastating humanitarian and environmental consequences they entail. Ultimately, the existence of nuclear warfare raises complex ethical and security dilemmas in international relations.
The primary countries involved in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II were the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, through the Manhattan Project. Germany and Japan were also significant, as they had their own nuclear research programs. After the war, the Soviet Union developed its own atomic bomb, successfully testing it in 1949, furthering the nuclear arms race during the Cold War. Other nations, such as France and China, later developed their own nuclear capabilities.
u.s.;china;russia;great britain;france;india;pakistan;israel
No.
No.
none
Yes, France has nuclear capabilities. It is one of the few countries in the world with a significant nuclear arsenal, including both nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants. France has a long history of nuclear development and maintains a deterrent nuclear force.
Never.
Nothing at present, there was a referendum some years ago which resulted in all nuclear work ceasing.
No. Nicaragua is signatory of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, banning any nuclear weapons in Latin America. It also does not have any nuclear power plants.
No, but it would be nice to see them have nuclear weapons, considering that Pakistan and India are nuclear nations.
Leader Development & National Interests
There were tests of nuclear weapons but no other nuclear weapons were dropped on other nations as an act of war. Hiroshima and Nagasaki are the only uses of atomic weapons on other nations.
Thomas B. Cochran has written: 'Nuclear Weapons Databook' 'U.S. nuclear forces and capabilities' -- subject(s): Nuclear weapons
Red Snow was developed by the United Kingdom.