"Globally, only 10 nations possess nuclear weapons—and Russia and the US alone control over 90% of them."
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News World. Only 10 countries in the world possess nuclear weapons, with Russia and the United States holding over 90% of the global nuclear arsenal. Here’s a breakdown of each country’s stockpile:
1. Russia
- Total warheads: 5,449
- Program start: 1949
- Key fact: Russia has the largest nuclear missile stockpile in the world.
2. United States
- Total warheads: 5,277
- Program start: 1945 (first nuclear test)
- Key fact: The only country to have used nuclear weapons in war (Hiroshima & Nagasaki).
3. China
- Total warheads: 600+
- Program start: 1964
- Key fact: The third-largest nuclear power and Nepal’s neighbor.
4. France
- Total warheads: 290
- Program start: 1960
- Key fact: The sole nuclear-armed EU nation.
5. United Kingdom
- Total warheads: 225
- Program start: 1952
- Key fact: Maintains a sea-based deterrent (Trident missiles).
6. India
- Total warheads: 180
- Program start: 1974
- Key fact: Follows a “No First Use” (NFU) policy but modernizing its arsenal.
7. Pakistan
- Total warheads: 170
- Program start: 1998
- Key fact: Nuclear program is India-centric for strategic balance.
8. Israel
- Estimated warheads: 90+
- Program start: 1960s (undeclared)
- Key fact: Neither confirms nor denies possession (policy of ambiguity).
9. North Korea
- Estimated warheads: 50+
- Program start: 2006 (first test)
- Key fact: Pursues offensive-defensive strategies against the U.S. & South Korea.
10. Iran
- Estimated warheads: 100+ (unconfirmed)
- Status: No official declaration, but suspected of uranium enrichment.
Global Context
- Russia & the U.S. dominate with ~90% of all nuclear weapons.
- India, Pakistan, and North Korea have expanded arsenals recently.
- Iran’s program remains controversial under international scrutiny.
(Source: Federation of American Scientists - FAS)
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