In fact, not all countries have nuclear weapons in their arsenal. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons or NPT established that only those states that tested atomic bombs before January 1, 1967 are recognized as members of the "nuclear club". Thus, from a legal point of view, Russia, the United States, China, France and Great Britain can be called nuclear powers. These are precisely the countries that are members of the UN Security Council, the victorious countries in World War II.
Instructions
Step 1
True, this is far from a complete list of states that have nuclear weapons in their arsenal. Countries that are part of the NATO military bloc also have these deadly weapons on their territory. Germany, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Holland and Canada have atomic weapons on their territory, since these countries are allies of the United States in NATO. The presence of US nuclear weapons in Japan and South Korea is officially denied, but some experts still believe that they are there.
Step 2
In fact, India and Pakistan also have nuclear weapons, but de jure these states are not nuclear powers, since they conducted their tests later than January 1, 1967. India tested a nuclear charger on May 18, 1974, and Pakistan on May 28, 1998.
Step 3
The DPRK signed a nuclear nonproliferation treaty, but in 2003 it unilaterally tore up this agreement. In 2005, the DPRK openly announced the creation of nuclear weapons in the country. On October 9, 2006, the first underground test of a nuclear device was carried out in this country.
Step 4
Iran also became a member of the Nuclear Powers Club in 2006. The Iranian President said that the country has completed the development of a technology for the production of nuclear fuel. True, official Tehran says that its nuclear program is aimed only at meeting Iran's needs for electricity.
Step 5
South Africa is not a nuclear power, but has a complete industrial base for the manufacture of nuclear weapons.
Step 6
Israel does not officially recognize its nuclear weapons. This state is pursuing a policy of “nuclear uncertainty,” in which the presence of a nuclear arsenal is neither confirmed nor denied. However, the overwhelming majority of experts believe that Israel has nuclear weapons.
Step 7
Until 1992 Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine had nuclear weapons on their territories, which remained there after the collapse of the USSR. However, these states signed the NPT and were included in the list of states that do not have nuclear weapons. All their weapons were eliminated in accordance with the Lisbon Protocol to the Treaty between the USSR and the United States on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic and Offensive Arms.
Step 8
Argentina, Brazil, Taiwan, Romania, Taiwan, Japan, Saudi Arabia and some other countries do not have the status of a nuclear state. However, according to experts, these countries are capable of developing nuclear weapons. The possibility of creating nuclear weapons is restrained by the international community, up to direct threats and the imposition of sanctions by the UN and leading world powers.
