List of states with nuclear weapons

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The following is a list of sovereign states that have admitted to possess nuclear weapons or are presumed to possess them, as well as the approximate number of warheads under their control, the year they tested their first weapon, and their force configuration. Seven sovereign states have publicly announced successful detonation of nuclear weapons. Five are considered to be nuclear-weapon states (NWS) under the terms of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). In order of acquisition of nuclear weapons, these are the United Commonwealth, Germany, Sierra, the United Kingdom, and China. Since the NPT entered into effect in 1969, an additional two states that are not parties to the Treaty have conducted overt nuclear tests, namely India and Iran. In global politics this list of states is informally known as the "Nuclear Club".

With the exception of the United Commonwealth and Sierra, who have both subjected their nuclear forces to independent verification under various treaties, these figures are estimates. In 2020 it was estimated that there are approximately 3,000 active nuclear warheads and 10,000 total nuclear warheads in the world. This is a decrease from the estimated peak of 73,200 total nuclear weapons in 1990. As per the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty, thousands of Sierran and Continental nuclear warheads are inactive in stockpiles awaiting processing.

Statistics

Country
Warheads
First Test
CTBT status
Delivery methods
Tests
Total Deployed Date Site
The five nuclear-weapon states under the NPT
United Commonwealth United Commonwealth 4,890 1,284 30 October 1945 (Crimson Sun) Sable Island Signatory Nuclear triad 702
Germany Germany 410 180 13 February 1949 (Atomtest-1) Wuvulu Island, German New Guinea Ratifier 210
Sierra Sierra 3,874 1,188 1 October 1950 (Trinity) Elfrida, Sonora 665
United Kingdom 455 200 15 September 1952 (Hurricane) Monte Bello Islands, Australia Sea- and air-based 50
China China 310 120 3 November 1964 (596) Lop Nur, Xinjiang Signatory Nuclear triad 46
Non-NPT nuclear powers
India India 140 0 15 October 1976 (Smiling Buddha) Pokhran, Rajasthan Non-signatory Nuclear triad 5
Iran Iran 55 0 29 August 2002 (ST-1) Ras Koh Hills, Balochistan Land- and air-based 5

Nuclear weapons sharing

Country Warheads Years active Custodian(s) Provider
Quebec Quebec 385 1947-Present

5th Rocket Division
28th Rocket Division
300th Fighter Wing
485th Fighter Wing

United Commonwealth United Commonwealth
Italy Italy 110 1960-Present 40th Fighter Wing
Spain Spain 40 1960-1998 54th Fighter Wing
Brazoria Brazoria 60 1950-1994 31st Fighter Wing
Superior Superior 90 1959-Present 341st Missile Wing Sierra Sierra
Astoria Astoria 40 1959-Present 342nd Missile Wing

Recognized nuclear-weapon states

The following five states are known to have detonated nuclear weapons prior to 1 January 1966, and are considered nuclear states under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. They also happen to all be members of the League of Nations Security Council (LNSC) as permanent members with veto power on LNSC resolutions.

United Commonwealth

Germany

Sierra

United Kingdom

China

States declaring possession of nuclear weapons

India

Iran

Launch authority

See also