Worldwide, there are fewer and fewer nuclear weapons. However, their degradation is becoming increasingly slower. And according to the peace research Institute, SIPRI, nuclear is ready, your Arsenal of weapons “in the foreseeable future to give up”.
Indian Missile Test (Archive Image)
The number of nuclear weapons has decreased in the past year – the investments in the modernization of nuclear arsenals, however, are increased. This is the result of a report by the Stockholm peace research Institute SIPRI published now.
Beginning in 2017, nine States, an estimated 14.935 nuclear warheads, which represents a slight decline compared with the number of 15.395 in the previous year had. This reduction is based primarily on the efforts of the United States and Russia, which possess 93 percent of the world’s nuclear Arsenal.
However, all nine nuclear powers-makers have developed systems and sites, or this step was announced. The nine countries are the U.S., Russia, the United Kingdom (UK), France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea.
The number of nuclear warheads each country at the beginning of 2017
“In spite of the recent progress of international talks on a ban of nuclear weapons in all the nine States maintain long-term modernisation programmes”, says SIPRI researcher Shannon Kile. “That suggests that none of these countries will be ready to use its nuclear arsenals in the foreseeable future.”
Especially, the US will spend between 2017 and 2026, probably $ 400 billion to get its nuclear weapons and modernize them, the report said. SIPRI cited estimates that Washington could in the next 30 years, up to a trillion dollars to spend in order to keep its nuclear Arsenal up-to-date.
“This planned spending is not unexpected,” says SIPRI expert Hans Kristensen. “The current U.S. government is continuing its ambitious nuclear modernization plans, which had begun in President Barack Obama.”
Nuclear tests in North Korea
North Korea has carried out 2016, and probably two nuclear tests, the international have caused concern over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program. Since then, the Communist country has tested several missiles. It wants to construct Intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach American soil.
North Korea carried out last multiple missile test
The SIPRI report considers it unlikely that Pyongyang has developed sufficiently compact warheads to hit the mainland of the United States. Experts believe, however, it is possible that North Korea would be able to build a “Miniature warhead,” the Short – and medium-range missiles could carry.
“North Korea seems to have been technical progress in its military Nuclear and missile program and could have built up to 20 nuclear warheads,” the report said. “There’s no official evidence that the North has produced Korea’s nuclear warheads, the missiles are ready.”
Nuclear warheads in Europe
Only two members of the EU possess nuclear weapons, namely the UK and France. In January, consisted of London’s nuclear weapons Arsenal, estimated at 215 warheads, of which 120 are considered to be operational. The past year has voted in the British Parliament for the successor to the Trident nuclear missile system. However, the government has announced that the program will not be funded as a whole, but in individual steps.
The number of nuclear warheads decreases more and more slowly
On the other hand, France includes Arsenal to around 300 warheads. Paris has signalled that it wants to modernise its nuclear weapons program. The government also plans, by 2035, the next Generation of submarines with nuclear rockets use to have ready. “The French Ministry of defense has launched studies for a successor missile on the way. The focus is on a improved stealth and hypersonic technology,” says the SIPRI report.
Nuclear powers in Asia
Among the Asian countries is China with a nuclear weapons Arsenal of about 270 warheads at the tip. Pakistan is second, with around 140 and India follows shortly behind, with 130 warheads. SIPRI said: “China has begun a long-term modernization program, which makes the quality of the nuclear dispute in view than that of its magnification.”
In contrast, both India and Pakistan are in the process of their nuclear power to the country, to expand the water and in the air, as the SIPRI report. This could have serious consequences. “India and Pakistan grow their military production capacity of fissile Material in a scale that could lead for the next decade to a considerable enlargement of their nuclear weapons stocks.”