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Your support makes all the difference.North Korea 's claim of a successful nuclear weapon test, if true, formally makes it the ninth nation known or generally thought to possess such arms.
A glance at the world's nuclear weapons states and their stockpiles, based on estimates compiled from different sources:
North Korea: Believed to have enough fissile material for about a half-dozen weapons, but estimates vary widely and are unverifiable. Claimed first successful nuclear test explosion today.
United States: More than 5,000 strategic warheads, more than 1,000 operational tactical weapons - meant for the battlefield and less powerful than the strategic arms - and approximately 3,000 reserve strategic and tactical warheads. Became the first country to carry out a nuclear test explosion on July 16, 1945.
Russia: Nearly 5,000 strategic warheads, and approximately 3,500 operational tactical warheads. In addition, it has more than 11,000 strategic and tactical warheads in storage. Exploded its first bomb in 1949.
France: Approximately 350 strategic warheads. Exploded its first bomb in 1960.
China: As many as 250 strategic warheads and 150 tactical warheads. Exploded its first bomb in 1964.
Britain: About 200 strategic warheads. Exploded its first bomb in 1952.
India: Between 45 and 95 nuclear warheads. Exploded its first bomb in 1974.
Pakistan: Between 30 and 50 nuclear warheads. Exploded its first bomb in 1998.
Israel: Refuses to confirm it is a nuclear weapons state but is generally assumed to have up to 200 nuclear warheads. Unknown when Israel might have carried out a test explosion.
Sources: Arms Control Association; Nuclear Threat Initiative.
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