The Nuclear Club

[Dunenewt]

Here is a list of the Nuclear Arsenals of the UN Permanent Security members (courtesy of the BBC):

United States Set off first nuclear blast in 1945. Conducted over 1,030 tests. Arsenal of about 12,070 warheads. Missile range of 8,100 miles.

Russia First test in 1949. Conducted 715 tests in total. Arsenal of about 28,240 warheads - but an estimated 18,000 of these are awaiting dismantlement or in reserve. Missile range of 6,800 miles

Britain First test in 1952. Conducted 45 tests in total. Arsenal of about 400 warheads. Missile range of 7,500 miles.

France First test in 1960. Arsenal of about 510 warheads. Missile range of 3,300 miles.

China First test in 1964. Conducted 45 tests, and helped Pakistan develop its nuclear capabilities. Arsenal of about 425 warheads. Missile range of 6,800 miles.

Here are Israel India and Pakistan's arsenals:

India First tested a "peaceful nuclear explosive device" in May 1974, and claimed its nuclear programme was for peaceful purposes only. Two subsequent tests in May 1998. Estimates of its nuclear arsenal vary from 60 to 250 warheads. It's missile range is between 1,500 to 2,000 miles.

Pakistan Two tests in May 1998. As with India, no-one knows exactly how many warheads it has. It is thought to be somewhere between 10 and 15, but could be as many as 150. Missile range between 1,500 to 1,800 miles.

Israel Known to have nuclear weapons capability, but has never declared it or tested. It has an estimated arsenal of 100 warheads and a missile range of 940 miles.

And the countries suspected of having Nuclear weapons:

North Korea Suspected of developing a nuclear bomb, and might have two warheads. Activity at its Yongbyon nuclear research centre was frozen under 1994 agreement with the US. Its missile range is 600 to 900 miles.

Iran Suspected of being within 5 to 10 years of producing a nuclear bomb. Seeking to recruit Russian nuclear scientists. Missile range 310 miles.

Iraq Before Gulf War was two years from producing bomb. United Nations weapons inspectors have not visited Iraq since the UNSCOM withdrew in December 1998. Missile range up to 470 miles.

Libya Despite numerous attempts to obtain nuclear weapons and technology, is thought to have made little progress. Missile range 190 miles.

[Anathema]

This has been posted a couple of times already. Israel is known to have at least 200 nukes, and the range to destroy Moscow.

[Dunenewt]

It shows that the UK's nukes are second only in range to the US' nukes

[VigilVirus]

I'm pretty sure that material is outdated. For example, China is known to have about 600 nukes.

[Anathema]

And I believe that the last inspection was 2 years ago, not 5...

[Dunenewt]

It came from 2000 but is still pretty accurate

[nemafakei]

Are any of the US's nukes submarine-based?

[Dunenewt]

Yes, for example the Tomahawk their equivalent to our Polaris missiles

[nemafakei]

What's the difference between polaris and trident? (not in astronomy...)

[Anathema]

I thought a trident was a submarine?

And Tomahawks aren't necessarily loaded with nuclear content.

[thomas]

what about indis they have nukes

[VigilVirus]

India First tested a "peaceful nuclear explosive device" in May 1974, and claimed its nuclear programme was for peaceful purposes only. Two subsequent tests in May 1998. Estimates of its nuclear arsenal vary from 60 to 250 warheads. It's missile range is between 1,500 to 2,000 miles.

There it is about India. What's your point?

[thomas]

I just didn't se them on the list wanted to know why.