| List Of Countries With Nuclear Weapons |
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This is a ''', Russia (formerly the Soviet Union ), the United Kingdom , France , and the People's Republic Of China . Since the formulation of the NPT, two non-signatory states of the NPT have conducted Nuclear Tests — India and Pakistan . Israel is also strongly suspected to have an arsenal of nuclear weapons though it has never confirmed or denied this, and there have been reports that over 100 nuclear weapons might be in its inventory. This status is not formally recognised by international bodies; none of these three countries is currently a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. South Africa once possessed nuclear weapons but has since destroyed its arsenal. North Korea has publicly declared itself to possess nuclear weapons though it has not conducted any confirmed tests and its ultimate status is still unknown. Iran has been accused by Western nations of attempting to develop uranium enrichment technology for weapons purposes. As of February 4 , 2006 , the International Atomic Energy Agency referred Iran to the United Nations Security Council in response to Western concerns on their possible nuclear programs. ESTIMATED WORLDWIDE NUCLEAR STOCKPILES The following is a list of Nation s that have admitted the possession of Nuclear Weapons , the approximate number of Warhead s under their control in 2002, and the year they tested their first weapon. This list is informally known in global politics as the "Nuclear Club". Note that with the exception of Russia and the United States (which have subjected their nuclear forces to independent verification under various treaties) these figures are estimates, in some cases quite unreliable estimates. Also, these figures represent total warheads possessed, rather than deployed. In particular, under the SORT treaty thousands of Russian and US nuclear warheads are in inactive stockpiles awaiting processing. The contained radioactive fuel can then be recycled for use in nuclear reactors that drive nuclear power plants and some military submarines and warships. From a high of 65,000 active weapons in 1985, there were about 20,000 active nuclear weapons in the world in 2002. Many of the "decommissioned" weapons were simply stored or partially dismantled, not destroyed.Webster, Paul (July/August 2003). "Just like old times," ''Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists'' 59:4: 30-35. '' {Link without Title} '' | ||
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