Nuclear Weapons

There are nine countries that have nuclear weapons. The following is that list along with the number of warheads in each respective stockpile, including retired but still intact warheads. 

 

Russia               6,372

USA                  5,800   

China                320

France               290

UK                    195

Pakistan            160

India                 150

Israel                 90

North Korea      35   

South Africa is the only nation to ever create then disband its nuclear weapons program. Development of a bomb began in 1974 amidst mounting international pressure to break the apartheid system. The U.S. relinquished its support for the program in 1976, but Israel remained steadfast, exchanging technology and raw materials with the segregationist government. UN Resolution 3379 called it "the unholy alliance between South African racism and Zionism."

The end of apartheid in 1989 marked the end of the nuclear weapons program as well. Under President de Klerk, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela, South Africa signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty and agreed to IAEA inspections in 1991.