The 10 countries with the largest nuclear weapons in the world.

(Baonghean.vn) - In the world's historical wars, nuclear weapons have been used as a tool of war with devastating and destructive power. Below are the 10 countries with the most nuclear weapons in the world today.

1. Russia

Russia tops the list, currently possessing approximately 7,300 weapons, with 1,790 strategic weapons in active service. These figures are estimates, as the exact numbers have not been disclosed. Russia conducted its first nuclear weapons test in 1949, and its last in 1990. Prior to that, the country had conducted a total of 715 nuclear weapons tests.

2. USA

The United States ranks second on the list. Previously, the US was the world's only nuclear power until the Soviet Union began producing its own weapons. The US launched its nuclear program on November 21, 1939, and conducted its first test on July 16, 1945. By 1967, the US possessed 32,040 nuclear warheads, but only 4,670 remain operational today.

3. France

This is the fourth country to conduct a nuclear weapons test completely independently. Currently, France ranks third in the world in the number of nuclear warheads with over 300. France has declared that it no longer possesses or uses chemical weapons after joining the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1995. According to French law, one of its four nuclear submarines must patrol the Atlantic Ocean, similar to the policy previously implemented by the United Kingdom.

4. China

China conducted its first nuclear test in 1964 and continued until 1967, when it tested its first thermonuclear bomb. According to estimates by the Federation of American Scientists, the country possesses approximately 250 warheads. One scientific study predicts that by 2020, China will have doubled its number of nuclear warheads and could pose a threat to the United States.

5. United Kingdom

The UK currently possesses a vast arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, including biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. The UK's first nuclear test took place on October 3, 1952. The highest number of nuclear warheads the UK ever possessed was 520, but this has since decreased to 215. In 2007, the UK spent £20 billion upgrading its Trident nuclear submarine fleet. In 2008, it spent £3 billion upgrading its nuclear warhead stockpile, aiming to extend the lifespan of these warheads by more than 30 years.

6. Pakistan

Pakistan possessed weapons of mass destruction even before Iran. Pakistan began producing nuclear weapons in 1972 when Zulkifar Ali Bhutto was Prime Minister. He claimed the project would be completed by 1976, but progress slowed, and he had to invite Abdul Qadeer Khan from Europe to join. After much effort and anticipation, the project was finally completed in 1984.

7. India

India is believed to have developed nuclear weapons and possessed chemical weapons in the past. However, it has never publicly disclosed the number of its atomic bombs, although intelligence experts estimate it to possess around 110. India's nuclear program began in early 1944, and in 1974, its first nuclear test, known as a "peaceful nuclear explosion," was conducted. Its policy is "no first use," meaning India will not provoke any country with nuclear weapons, but will respond appropriately if attacked.

8. Israel

Israel is considered to possess nuclear weapons, although it completely denies it. While it is believed to have possessed nuclear weapons since 1967, there are still no official figures to prove this. Experts estimate that the country has between 75 and 400 warheads, manufactured at the Negev Nuclear Research Center.

9. North Korea

North Korea is a country frequently mentioned in news programs regarding nuclear weapons. Currently, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea claims to possess nuclear weapons, with one atomic bomb and a number of lower-yield nuclear weapons since 2009. In 2006, the country successfully conducted its first nuclear test. In 2007, North Korea declared it possessed nuclear weapons. By 2016, Pyongyang had successfully conducted five nuclear tests, the fifth of which was the most powerful to date.

10. Iran

Although Iran has signed chemical weapons treaties and does not produce nuclear weapons, and its Supreme Leader has issued resolutions prohibiting the development, production, and stockpiling of such dangerous weapons, some classified reports indicate that Iran is still pursuing a nuclear program and may be able to produce enough uranium for a 1.7-minute nuclear warhead. According to US intelligence, Iran may possess nuclear weapons, but there are no specific figures on the number.

Peace

(Synthetic)