Nuclear Weapons Testing Countries

Greenpeace April 1996

UNITED STATES

Origin of nuclear weapons program: The U.S. started studying the possibility of building nuclear weapons in 1939-1940. In 1942, the official decision was taken to proceed with building a bomb and the Manhattan Project was established.

First Nuclear Test: 16 July 1945, Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Last Nuclear Test: 23 September 1993, National Test Site, Nevada.

How Many: 1030 tests (215 atmospheric, 815 underground).

Present nuclear test site: National Test Site (NTS), Nevada, USA.

Past nuclear test sites: In the U.S.: Alamogordo, New Mexico; Carlsbad, New Mexico; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Grand Valley, Colorado; Rifle, Colorado; Farmington, New Mexico; Amchitka, Alaska; Central Nevada; Fallon, Nevada; Nevada Bombing Range. In the Pacific: Johnston Atoll; Eniwetok Atoll; Bikini Atoll; Christmas Island. There have also been three nuclear tests in the South Atlantic Ocean and four in the Pacific Ocean.

USSR

Origin of nuclear weapons program: During the 1930s, the Soviet Union had research programs on atomic and nuclear physics. In 1943, a pilot project was established to pursue the development of nuclear weapons.

First nuclear test: 29 August 1949, either at or near Semipalitinsk or in the vicinity of the Aral Sea or on the northeast shore of the Caspian Sea.

Last nuclear test: 25 October 1990, Novaya Zemlya.

How many: 715 tests (207 atmospheric, 508 underground).

Present nuclear test site: Arctic islands of Novaya Zemlya.

Past nuclear test sites: Semipalitinsk, Kazakhstan; near Azgir and Astrakhan in Western Kazakhstan; the Ukraine; Uzbekistan; Turkmenistan. Underground nuclear tests also were conducted all across the USSR, outside the formal test sites, as part of a program of 'Peaceful Nuclear Explosions'.

FRANCE

Origin of nuclear weapons program: Although French physicists were leaders in the field of 20th century nuclear physics it was not until 1951 that the military started showing an interest in nuclear weapons. Toward the end of 1954, France officially decided to build a nuclear bomb.

First nuclear test: 13 February 1960, Reggane, Algeria.

Last nuclear test: 27 January 1996, Moruroa atoll, South Pacific.

How many: 210 tests (50 atmospheric, 160 underground).

Past nuclear test sites: In Algeria near Reggane, and in the Hoggar Massif at In Ecker. Moruroa and Fangataufa atolls, South Pacific (with its last test on 27 January 1996, France has declared it will close its South Pacific test site).

UNITED KINGDOM

Origin of nuclear weapons program: The U.K. started looking into nuclear weapons in late 1940-early 1941. Unable to develop a weapon by themselves, the British passed their data to the U.S. and then assisted in the U.S. Manhattan Project from 1943 till the U.S. terminated the cooperation at the end of World War II. In 1947, Britain decided build its own nuclear weapons.

First nuclear test: 3 October 1952, Monte Bello Islands, Australia.

Last nuclear test: 26 November 1991, U.S. National Test Site, Nevada.

How many: 45 tests (21 atmospheric, 24 underground).

Present nuclear test site: U.S. National Test Site, Nevada.

Past nuclear test sites: Monte Bello Islands, Australia; Emu Field, Australia; Maralinga Test Ranges, Australia; Christmas Island, Pacific; Malden Island, Pacific.

CHINA

Origin of nuclear weapons program: China officially decided to obtain nuclear weapons in 1955.

First nuclear test: 16 October 1964, Lop Nor test site in Xinjiang Province.

Last nuclear test: 16 August 1996. Still conducting nuclear tests.

How many: 43 tests to date (23 atmospheric, 20 underground). China is thought to have plans for at least four more nuclear tests.

Present nuclear test site: Lop Nor test site in Xinjiang Province.

Past nuclear test site: same as above.

INDIA

Origin of nuclear weapons program: India's Atomic Energy Commission was established in 1954. The existing nuclear program began to include a nuclear explosives program after China tested their first nuclear weapon in 1964. In 1970, officials started stating publicly that India was looking into the possibility of using nuclear weapons for peaceful purposes.

First nuclear test: 18 May 1974, near village of Pokharan, Rajasthan Desert.

Last nuclear test: same as above.

How many: one test (declared to be a Peaceful Nuclear Explosion by the Indian authorities).

Present nuclear test site: Rajasthan Desert, Jaisalmer District.

Past nuclear test site: same as above.