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China's nuclear collection is often seen as a way of intimidating rivals.
China ranks third in terms of the most nuclear weapons worldwide, holding 350 warheads.
China developed its nuclear weapons program in the '50s and conducted its first nuclear test in 1964.
France is the fourth country with the most nuclear weapons worldwide, with 290 nuclear weapons.
France's arsenal is believed to consist of both submarine-launched and air-launched nuclear missiles. However, it has committed to a strict "no first use" policy.
The country started working on nuclear weapons in the '50s, and conducted its first nuclear test in 1960.
Most people would be surprised to learn that India has many powerful nuclear weapons. Ranked at number seven, it actually has 160 nuclear weapons.
It's widely believed that Israel began to develop nuclear weapons in the '60s, though they have never officially acknowledged them.
Israel has 90 nuclear warheads, making it the eighth country with the most nuclear weapons in the world.
With one of the strictest military forces in the world, Israel maintains a nuclear arsenal in case of potential threats to its national security.
Today, North Korea has 20 nuclear warheads, making it the ninth country with the most nuclear weapons in the world.
The country is led by Kim Jong-un, who is considered a threat to international security and world peace.
The former British colony also holds a massive stockpile of nuclear weapons, with a total of 165 warheads.
Like India, the country has a "no first use" policy. However, the nuclear arms race between the two countries has heightened tensions in the region.
The most politically isolated country in the world, North Korea began developing nuclear weapons in the '80s, in defiance of international agreements and sanctions.
With 5,977 nuclear weapons, Russia claims first place in the nuclear race.
The UK developed its nuclear weapons in the '50s, with the help of the US, to maintain its position as a major global power.
The US actually takes second spot when it comes to nuclear power, with 5,428 nuclear weapons. It became the first country to use nuclear weapons in warfare, dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
Ranking fifth when it comes to the most nuclear weapons, the UK has 225 nuclear warheads.
Today, its nuclear strategy is based on the concept of deterrence. The US believes that its possession of nuclear weapons deters other countries from attacking it or its allies.
With one of the world's biggest armies, the US has also committed to reducing the role of nuclear weapons in its national security strategy.
Today, the threat of nuclear escalation, in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, is a concern for the international community.
India developed its own nuclear weapons program in the late '60s and conducted its first nuclear test in 1974.
The nation currently has a "no first use" policy, meaning that it will only use nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear attack.
During the Cold War, the US and the Soviet Union engaged in a nuclear arms race, resulting in the buildup of a vast nuclear arsenal by both nations.
Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey all host US nuclear weapons. The US insists that it maintains operational control of these weapons, which helps them with nuclear war planning.
Since June 2023, the leaders of Russia and Belarus have claimed that a number of nuclear weapons are located on Belarusian territory.
Sources: (World Population Review) (Forbes) (Wisevoter)
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Pakistan developed its own nuclear weapons program in response to India's nuclear program, conducting its first test in 1998.
However, based on the country's politics, it's highly unlikely they'll be using them, unless it's to ensure national security.
The issue of nuclear weapons and the threat of nuclear war have been a growing concern in recent years, particularly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Increasing tensions between countries heavily equipped with these weapons of mass destruction have put the world on high alert. Surprisingly, there are only nine countries in the world that possess nuclear weapons. This handful of nations boasts a collective stockpile of around 13,000 weapons—more than enough to bring devastation to humankind.
Click through the gallery to discover the nine countries that control these nuclear arsenals.
The world's most powerful nuclear nations
Who takes the top spot?
LIFESTYLE Nuclear weapons
The issue of nuclear weapons and the threat of nuclear war have been a growing concern in recent years, particularly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Increasing tensions between countries heavily equipped with these weapons of mass destruction have put the world on high alert. Surprisingly, there are only nine countries in the world that possess nuclear weapons. This handful of nations boasts a collective stockpile of around 13,000 weapons—more than enough to bring devastation to humankind.
Click through the gallery to discover the nine countries that control these nuclear arsenals.