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So the number of actual warheads could be far greater, but it is effectively only as many as the number of delivery vehicles. Especially in the event of a full
by daemin 10y ago
So the number of actual warheads could be far greater, but it is effectively only as many as the number of delivery vehicles. Especially in the event of a full nuclear war, since they won't exactly be able to go back and rearm with those spare warheads.
- sandworm101 10y agoThese things aren't cheap to build or maintain. And trying to keep 300 things secret is harder than 100. So no nation has a pile of extras lying around. Even the US/UK actually have far fewer warheads than delivery systems. Not every warhead on every missile in every sub is always armed. So counting the delivery mechanisms gives you an upper limit. I think this is the source of the 200 number. Of course Israel is a little odd. They are the one nuclear power obsessed with invasion of a very small territory. They may have some static plans, large warheads meant to be detonated at fixed positions rather than be 'delivered' by missile or bomber. That is a complication.