kärnvapenarsenal

Kärnvapenarsenal refers to the total stock of nuclear weapons possessed by a nation or a coalition of states. These weapons are explosive devices that release energy through nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion, capable of causing mass destruction and long-term environmental damage. The primary purpose of nuclear arsenals has historically been deterrence, aimed at preventing war through the threat of devastating retaliation.

The development and accumulation of nuclear weapons began during World War II with the Manhattan Project in the United States, leading to the first atomic bombs used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union amassed the largest arsenals, reaching peaks of tens of thousands of warheads each. Since then, several arms control treaties, such as the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), have aimed to limit and reduce nuclear stockpiles and prevent proliferation.

Modern nuclear arsenals vary in size and sophistication, including strategic weapons designed for long-range delivery and tactical devices intended for regional conflicts. Many nuclear-armed states possess delivery systems such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and strategic bombers.

Global efforts continue to focus on arms control, non-proliferation, and disarmament, with the goal of preventing nuclear conflict and promoting peace. Despite international agreements, some countries maintain or expand their nuclear arsenals, raising concerns about regional security and international stability. The existence and size of nuclear arsenals remain a central issue in global security discourse.