(Click on the country's flag for more detailed information)

	Country	Suspected Strategic Nuclear Weapons	Suspected Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons	Suspected Total Nuclear Weapons
	China	20	390	410
	France	384	80	464
	India	0	60+?	60+?
	Israel	0	200+?	200+?
	Pakistan	15-25?	0	15-25?
	Russia	~ 6,000	~ 4,000	~10,000
	United Kingdom	185	0	185
	United States	7,200	~ 3,300	~10,500

Go to CDI's Nuclear Weapons Database: Chinese Arsenal

Summary of French Nuclear Arsenal:

The French nuclear arsenal, largely a legacy of De Gaulle's insistance on French strategic independence, is the third largest in the world. Until 1996, it was deployed on a triad mirroring those of Russia and the United States. However, in February 1996, President Chirac announced his intention to eliminate the land-based deterrent, destroying the Hades and SSBS S3D missiles.

Yet in tandem with this reduction, France is undertaking a modernization of its sea-based deterrent force, with the first of a new SSBN class, the Le Triomphant, along with a new SLBM, the M-45. The controversial nuclear testing at Mururoa Atoll in 1995-96 was reportedly done to perfect warhead design. The French are even pressing forward with an advanced SLBM design, the M-51, complete with a stealthy, manuevering warhead called the TN-76.

The means of air delivery will remain potent, though the last French nuclear gravity bombs have been retired. The Mirage 2000N and carrier-based Super Etendard fighter-bombers are available to deliver short-range nuclear ASMP missiles. A follow-on to the current ASMP missile, dubbed the ASMP+ is under development and is slated to enter service in 2007. The new French nuclear role aircraft, the Rafale D, should be ready then as well.

The French arsenal at the moment is rife with contradictions -- while the reductions are sweeping and encouraging, the modernization program is widespread. The French would probably not engage in multilateral arms control until the U.S. and Russia came down to approximately the same warhead level.

Strategic Nuclear Weapons: 482

Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons: 0

Total Nuclear Weapons: 482

Go to CDI's Nuclear Weapons Database: French Arsenal

Summary of India's Possible Nuclear Delivery Systems: N/A

Strategic Nuclear Weapons: 0

Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons: 60+

Total Nuclear Weapons: 60+

Go to CDI's Nuclear Weapons Database: India's Possible Nuclear Delivery Systems

Summary of Israel's Possible Nuclear Delivery Systems:

Despite refusals to comment on the issue by the Israeli government, the Israelis clearly have a sizeable nuclear arsenal. There are two interesting loopholes in Israel's oft-repeated pledge never to be the first to introduce nuclear weapons into the region: The U.S. "introduced" weapons in the region in the 1950's when nuclear bombs were stored at Dharan, Saudi Arabia and at sea in the Mediteranean Sixth Fleet. Also, it is believed that Israel might not keep her nuclear weapons fully assembled -- keeping them "a screw away" from completion.

The highly capable and well-equipped Israeli air force would more than suffice in the nuclear weapons delivery role, particularly with U.S.-supplied aircraft such as the F-4E and F-16. However, Israel has also produced ballistic missiles, against which its potential enemies have no defense. The Jericho I suffices for its immediate adversary of Syria, and the Jericho II brings the entire Middle East under Israel's range, particularly Iran. The Shavit space-launch booster could also be adapted to a long-range nuclear delivery role, and given the decision, Israel would be able to develop an intercontinental balltic missile.

The Israeli arsenal will likely remain stable in the years to come. Though Israel signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, it will likely not reduce or eliminate its nuclear arsenal of 100+ weapons. The Arab-Israeli peace process would have to advance far greater than it currently has for nuclear disarmament to be considered by the Israelis.

Strategic Nuclear Weapons: 0

Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons: 100+

Total Nuclear Weapons: 100+

Go to CDI's Nuclear Weapons Database: Israel's Possible Nuclear Delivery Systems

Summary of Pakistan's Possible Nuclear Delivery Systems: N/A

Strategic Nuclear Weapons: 0

Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons: 15-25

Total Nuclear Weapons: 15-25

Go to CDI's Nuclear Weapons Database: Pakistani's Possible Nuclear Delivery Systems

Summary of Russian Nuclear Arsenal:

Russia has made dramatic reductions in its nuclear forces since the end of the Cold War -- a major limiting factor has been the funding to destroy the systems. Russia has also received deliveries of all nuclear weapons stationed in the former-Soviet republics, particularly the strategic weapons formerly deployed in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Byelarus.

Some Russian nuclear modernization contiues -- the SS-N-20s onboard the 6 Typhoon submarines will likely be replaced by a new SLBM, the SS-N-26. There are also designs for a new nuclear ballistic missile sub. Also, the SS-25 Topol (with the newer M variant sometimes called the SS-27) mobile single warhead missile continues with steady production on the order of 20 missiles a year.

The START II limits Russia, as the U.S., to 3,500 strategic,deployed warheads. However, as there is no restriction on tactical or reserve weapons Russia will likely retain approximately 3,000 tactical warheads, in addition to an unknwon number of reserve weapons. The wrinkle is that when Russia ratified START II, the Duma attached conditions not part of the U.S. ratification process. The Russians have called for a START III agreement to reduce arsenals to around 1,500-2,000 warheads, a level cheaper to maintain and offering the U.S. less advantage in the event of a treaty "breakout." The U.S. Congress has resisted negotiating a new treaty.

Strategic Nuclear Weapons: ~6,000

Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons: 6,000-13,000

Total Nuclear Weapons: 12,000-19,000

Go to CDI's Nuclear Weapons Database: Russian Arsenal

Summary of United Kingdom Nuclear Arsenal:

The British have declared their intention to destroy all air-delivered nuclear weapons by 1998, retaining only a sea-based deterrent. They will destroy their existing estimated 100 WE177 bombs (carried by the Tornado GR.I attack aircraft). Their sole nuclear force will be based on four new Vanguard class SSBNs armed with U.S.-supplied Trident II D-5 missiles. While only retaining one means of delivery (albeit a flexible and reliable one), the British will also reportedly use a mixture of strategic and smaller tactical warheads.

Strategic Nuclear Weapons: 100

Tactical Nuclear Weapons: 100

Total Nuclear Weapons: 200

Go to CDI's Nuclear Weapons Database: United Kingdom Arsenal

Summary of U.S. Nuclear Arsenal:

The U.S. is continuing with some modernization of the nuclear arsenal. Under the Pentagon's Nuclear Posture Review, approved in September 1994, the U.S. will retain 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines -- the four oldest ones will be retired, while the next four oldest, which were designed to fire the Trident I C-4 SLBM, will be backfitted to fire the larger Trident II D-5. Half the operational strategic deterrent force will be based on these Ohio SSBNs, which remain at sea 2/3 of the time. The Minuteman IIIs received an upgrade and overhaul to extend their lifespan, though the force was reduced from 530 to 500 at the end of FY 1998. Short-range attack missiles have been retired.

The START II Treaty, slated for entry into force in 2003, will limit the strategic arsenal to 3,500 deployed warheads. This will consist of 14 Ohio-class submarines, each carrying 24 Trident II missiles, 500 Minuteman III missiles with a single warhead, 66 B-52Hs carrying nor more than 1,000 air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs), and advanced cruise missiles (ACM), and 20 B-2's carrying up to 16 gravity bombs each. But there will be also be 950 tactical weapons (largely gravity bombs and sea-launched cruise missiles (SLCMs)), and 2,500 reserve weapons and 2,500 warheads in inactive reserve. These could easily be uploaded onto the START II delivery systems to provide rapid "breakout" capability. The U.S. has resisted Russian overtures for a START III treaty, maintaining that START II should be implemented before negotiations begin.

Strategic Nuclear Weapons: 7,300

Nonstrategic Nuclear Weapons: 4,700-11,700

Total Nuclear Weapons: 12,000-19,000

Go to CDI's Nuclear Weapons Database: U.S. Arsenal

Compiled by Ted Flaherty
19 December 1996
updated 2 January 1997