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| | The power of nuclear charge is measured in trotyl equivalent - quantity of trinitrotoluene, which is required for blasting to obtain explosion of same energy. Usually, it is expressed in kilotons (kt) & megatons (mt). Trotyl equivalent is conditional since energy distribution of nuclear explosion according to various damaging factors essentially depends on type of ammunition and, in any case, heavily differs from chemical explosion.
It is generally accepted to divide nuclear ammunition with respect to power into five groups:
Subminiature (less than 1 kt);
Miniature (1 — 10 kt);
Average (10 — 100 kt);
Large (huge power) (100 kt — 1 mt);
Extra-large (extra large power) (above 1 mt).
Nuclear club:
In 1963, when only four countries had nuclear arsenals & the US government anticipated that from 15 to 25 countries will possess nuclear weapons within a decade; other countries indicated that the number could go further up & touch the 50 mark. As of 2004, only 8 countries have nuclear arsenals. Main reason for non-proliferation – embodied by IAEA & Agreement has helped sharply in slowing down the presumed rate of proliferation.
From the United Nations report, 2005:
The following countries, which possess nuclear arsenals form the “Nuclear Club”: USA (1945), Russia (initially Soviet Union: 1949), Great Britain (1952), France (1960), China (1964), India (1974), Pakistan (1998) & Democratic People's Republic of Korea (2006).
Israel is not making it public about the availability of nuclear weapons, however, according to some experts, Israel possesses an arsenal of 200 charges (by estimations of former US president Jimmy Carter — 150).
Small nuclear arsenal was available with Republic of South Africa but all six nuclear weapons were destroyed voluntarily by South Africa. It is presumed that Republic of South Africa conducted nuclear tests near Buve Island. Republic of South Africa is a single nation, which has independently developed nuclear weapons & voluntarily refused the weapons.
In 1990-1991, Ukraine, Belarus & Kazakhstan, possessing part of nuclear arms of USSR on their territories, have handed-over nuclear weapons to Russian Federation, and after signing the Lisbon protocol in 1992, the countries were declared to be nations, not possessing nuclear weapons. In this case, Belarus & Kazakhstan handed-over the nuclear weapons gratuitously & Ukraine had transferred nuclear weapons under condition of demarking the Ukranian borders with Russia (while both of them were CIS members) during disintegration of USSR (i.e. with peninsula Crimea).
Iran is considered to be the nation, which has come very close to develop its nuclear bomb.
Brazil, Libya, Iraq & Republic of Korea were suspected in different years for carrying out nuclear programs.
USA is the first nation in the history to have conducted nuclear explosion with power of 20 kilotons on July 16, 1945 in desert Alamogordo (State of New Mexico). On August 6 & 9, 1945 nuclear bombs were dropped on Japanese cities of Hiroshimas & Nagasaki respectively.
USSR tested the first nuclear weapon with power of 22 kilotons on August 29, 1949 on Semipalatinsk range.
Great Britain tested its first surface nuclear explosion with power of 25 kilotons on October 3, 1952 near Monte-Bello Islands (North-west of Australia).
France conducted ground tests of nuclear charge with power of 20 kilotons on February 13, 1960 in oasis Reggan (Algeria).
Peoples Republic of China dropped nuclear bomb with power of 20 kilotons on October 16, 1964 on lake Lop Nor.
India conducted underground tests of nuclear charge with capacity of 20 kilotons on May 18, 1974 in Pokhran but officially did not recognize itself as holder of nuclear weapons. India announced that it is the holder of nuclear weapons only after conducting underground tests of five nuclear explosives in Pokhran May 11-14, 1998 including 30 kiloton thermonuclear bomb.
Pakistan conducted underground tests of six nuclear charges with power of 18 kilotons each on May 28, 1998 in Beluchistan province as symmetric reply to Indian nuclear tests of 1974 & 1998.
Democratic People's Republic of Korea tested nuclear bomb with presumed power of 1 kiloton on October 9, 2006. |
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North Korea has shocked the world yet again. Just last month it launched a long range missile capable of carrying nukes, and on Monday it conducted an atomic test by exploding a nuclear bomb. By doing so, the 67-year-old Kim Jong Il, whose health has been shaken lately, wants to show the world that North Korea remains strong. The nuke and missile tests were conducted against the U.N. Security Council resolution which bans the country from developing any weapons of mass destruction.
The U.N. Security Council was meeting later Monday to discuss the North Korean crisis.
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