This map layer shows the three categories of possession of nuclear weapons for the year 2018.
Since 1945, more than 128,000 nuclear weapons have been produced, 55 per cent of which in the United States, 48 of which in Russia. Since 1986, the number of operational nuclear weapons has decreased, as the United States and Russia have bound themselves to cut down the number of active nuclear weapons. But nuclear weapons are withdrawn from service more quickly than disposed of so that an inactive holding of nuclear weapons exists. Beyond this, nuclear powers continue to modernize their stockpiles or even re-arm themselves. It is important to observe that only data on the military stockpile has been provided for the United States and Russia!
Total number of decommissioned nuclear weapons 2017
This graph shows the number of decommissioned nuclear weapons compared to the maximum and current stock of the nuclear powers.
Sources: FAS 2017
Current nuclear weapons holdings, numbers 2018
This graph shows the current nuclear weapons holdings of the current nuclear powers.
Sources: FAS 2018
© picture-alliance / dpa
Attempts at risk mitigation - Nuclear non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament
Immediately after the atom bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, first efforts at containing and eliminating the nuclear danger were made - and are still ongoing. In principle, bilateral, multilateral and universal agreements could have two goals: Disarmament and arms control.
More ...
© picture alliance / Everett Collection
Nuclear terrorism - Myth or a real danger?
The fear of a nuclear weapon in the hands of terrorists is nearly as old as the weapon itself. Already in the early 1950s did Robert Oppenheimer, one of the fathers of the US-American atomic bomb, warn that three to four people could destroy New York...
More ...
© picture-alliance / dpa
Siamese twins - The civilian and military use of nuclear technology
The civilian and military use of nuclear technology can be compared to Siamese twins. They are so closely connected that one can hardly separate them. The civilian use of nuclear technology can create knowledge, materials and technology that can also be used for a military nuclear programme.
More ...
