North Korean Nuclear Test First in World Since 1998

North Korea's claim that it successfully carried outarms -- warheads that can be delivered by
an underground nuclear test Monday makes it theintercontinental missiles.
first country to do so since India and PakistanRussia has some 3,500 operational tactical
detonated nuclear devices in May of 1998.warheads and at least 11,000 strategic and tactical
The Non-Proliferation Treaty officially recognizeswarheads in storage.
China, France, Russia, Britain and the UnitedFrance has about 350 strategic warheads, while
States as having nuclear weapons. However, nineBritain has about 200 similar devices.
nations, including North Korea, are known orChina says it has 250 strategic warheads and 150
generally thought to posses nuclear arms.tactical warheads.
North Korea is believed to have enough fissileIndia boasts between 45 and 95 nuclear
material for about six weapons. Estimates vary,warheads, and neighboring Pakistan has between
however, and have not been confirmed.30 and 50.
The United States and Russia have about 5,000Israel refuses to confirm whether it has nuclear
strategic warheads each.weapons. However, it is generally assumed the
The U.S. arsenal includes at least 1,000 operationalcountry has at least 200 nuclear warheads.
tactical weapons, which are meant for theSome information for this report provided by AP
battlefield and are less powerful than strategicand AFP.