TOP TEN NUCLEAR POWERS OF THE WORLD

Here is the list of the ten most powerful nuclear powers of the world:

10. Iran

Iran's possession of nuclear weapons is contraversial but sources estimates that it possesses atleast 5 nuclear weapons and if the sources are correct, then it ranks tenth in the list. Iran's nuclear program was launched in the 1950s with the help of the United States as part of the Atoms for Peace program. In 1970, Iran ratified the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), making its nuclear program subject to the IAEA 's verification.

9. North Korea

North Korea ranks nineth in the list.North Korea has a military nuclear weapons program and as of early 2019, it is estimated to have an arsenal of approximately 20–30 nuclear weapons and sufficient fissile material for an additional 30–60 nuclear weapons. North Korea has also stockpiled a significant quantity of chemical and biological weapons. In 2003, North Korea withdrew from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Since 2006, the country has been conducting a series of six nuclear tests at increasing levels of expertise, prompting the imposition of sanctions. 

8. Israel

Eight on this list is the small nation of Israel, which is estimated to have around 80 warheads. 

7. India

India ranks seventh in this list.

India has developed and possesses weapons of mass destruction in the form of nuclear weapons. Although India has not made any official statements about the size of its nuclear arsenal, recent estimates suggest that India has 130–140 nuclear weapons and has produced enough weapons-grade plutonium for up to 150–200 nuclear weapons.

Out of the 6 nuclear tests carried out by the country, the first one was conducted in 1974 and the most recent one in 1998.

6. Pakistan

Next in rank is Pakistan at number six. 

Pakistan currently has 140 to 150 nuclear warheads and the stockpile is expected to increase to 220 to 250 by 2025 if the current trend continues`

On May 28, 1998, Pakistan became a nuclear power when it successfully carried out five nuclear tests at Chaghi, in the province of Baluchistan . This was in direct response to five nuclear explosions by India, just two weeks earlier.

5. United Kingdom

With an estimated stockpile of 225 nuclear warheads , United Kingdom comes on number 5 in the list. The United Kingdom tested its first nuclear weapon ("Hurricane") in 1952. Till date, United Kingdom has carried out 45 nuclear tests.

4. China

China ranks fourth and came to the nuclear weapon scenario in 1964 with its first nuclear test. Today, the country owns around 280 nuclear warheads.

3. France

On number 3 in this list is France, which has an estimated 300 nuclear warheads France tested its first nuclear weapon in February, 1960 named as "Gerboise Bleue". It conducted its last 210th nuclear weapon test in the year 1996.

2. United States

Featuring on number 2 in the list is United States, which has 7700 nuclear weapons. It has conducted around 1054 nuclear tests, the first one was in 1945 and the latest one carried out in 1992.

1. Russia

Russia is considered as the biggest nuclear power country in the world, with an estimated 8500 warheads in its control. The country has conducted a total of 715 nuclear tests till date, with the first test dating back to 1949 and the most recent one conducted in 1990.

All these countries are considered the most powerful as far as nuclear weapons are concerned, but are expected to show restraint in their use for the betterment of the world .They are only a sign to show their power and to prevent countries to come into a conflict with them.