Increased Tensions Over Nuclear Weapons: Humanity Still Has 16,300 Nuclear Warheads

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Between North Korea’s just tested most powerful nuclear weapon and the reckless response by U.S. President Trump, the global concerns over nuclear weapon are re-ignited.

Nuclear weapons have always been a major concern for all countries. But the recent actions of North Korea has heated the concerns. Let’s get an insight of countries that have access to nuclear weapons.

A report published by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has revealed that nine countries in the world hold a total of 16,300 nuclear weapons. Out of these nine nuclear powers, Russia and the United States account for 93 percent of the total.

The nine countries that have access to nuclear weapons:

  1. The United States is the first country to develop nuclear weapons. It is also the only country that has used the nuclear weapon in war.
  2. Russia is the second country in the world after the U.S. to develop nuclear weapons.
  3. The United Kingdom maintains a fleet of four nuclear-armed submarines, each of them carry 16 Trident missiles, in Scotland.
  4. France has most of its nuclear warheads deployed on submarines equipped with M51 and M45 missiles.
  5. China has a very small nuclear arsenal compared to Russia and the U.S.
  6. India developed nuclear weapons in violation of non-proliferation commitments and had been working to increase its nuclear arsenal size.
  7. Pakistan is said to have increased its nuclear arsenal in recent years.
  8. Israel has a policy of uncertainty about its nuclear arsenal, neither confirming nor refuting its existence.
  9. North Korea has a nestling nuclear weapons programme.

North Korea: Capturing the Attention of World

Under Kim Jong-Un, the Hermit Kingdom ‘North Korea’ has been catching the attention of the whole world after it theatrically ramped up the number of its missile tests. The country has 17 confirmed launches so far in the year 2017.

In July 2017, North Korea successfully launched its first inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) which is said to have a potential range of over 10,000 kilometres (6,200 miles). The ICBM has the capability of reaching the U.S. territory.

North Korea has challenged Donald Trump by his powerful nuclear tests, and the country is expected to have triple the number of nuclear weapons we think it has.

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