How much does a nuclear bomb cost, where are they hidden, and who decides to launch them?
During World War II, the United States dropped two atomic bombs—'Little Boy' on Hiroshima and 'Fat Man' on Nagasaki—causing immense destruction and loss for Japan. Today, countries around the world are spending a staggering USD 91.4 billion annually just to maintain their nuclear weapons. This equals about USD 2,898 every second, or nearly Rs. 2.5 lakh per second—an amount greater than the annual GDP of more than 100 countries.
In Pakistan, F-16 fighter jets are stationed at bases like Mushaf (Sargodha) and Shahbaz, and it is believed that the Sargodha Weapons Storage Complex, located about 10 km away, houses its nuclear arsenal. Pakistan possesses various types of missiles such as Abdali, Shaheen, Ghauri, Hatf, and others. Decisions regarding nuclear strikes in Pakistan are taken by the National Command Authority, which is led by the Prime Minister. Who decides to launch a nuclear bomb?
Globally, presidents or prime ministers do not directly order a nuclear strike on their own. Instead, they hold secure codes (smart codes) required to authorize a launch. However, the actual firing of a nuclear missile is carried out by a designated command team at the lowest operational level. The decision is typically made after consulting top security entities like the Cabinet Committee on Security, National Security Advisor (NSA), and the Chief of Defence Staff. For example, the US President carries a 'nuclear football'—a briefcase containing war plans and target information, while the Russian President has a similar case for launching nuclear weapons.
India has a strong missile arsenal that includes Agni, Shaurya, Pralay, and BrahMos, all capable of delivering nuclear strikes. It also possesses a nuclear triad—the ability to launch nuclear attacks from land, air, and sea. India follows a 'No First Use' nuclear policy, meaning it will never strike first with a nuclear weapon—but if attacked, it promises to respond with full force.
In 1957, a nuclear bomb accidentally dropped from an aircraft in New Mexico. Fortunately, it did not detonate, preventing a disaster. In 1958, a B-47 bomber dropped a nuclear bomb in South Carolina, but luck favored the situation as the nuclear weapon remained intact within the missile. In 1961, a B-52 bomber carrying two nuclear bombs crashed in California. In 1965, a plane launched from an American aircraft carrier dropped a nuclear bomb into the sea, and it has never been found.
During the Cold War, the global nuclear bomb count nearly reached 60,000. To address this, nuclear disarmament programs were introduced. Only South Africa voluntarily dismantled its entire nuclear arsenal, freeing itself from nuclear weapons.
In August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing between 125,000 and 250,000 people. The cities endured the devastating effects of the atomic bombs for over 50 years. Countries that posses nuclear weapons
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's 2024 report, nine countries currently possess over 12,000 nuclear weapons: Russia, the United States, China, France, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea. Russia holds 2,815 nuclear warheads, the U.S. has 1,928, China possesses 410, France has 290, the UK holds 225, Pakistan has 170, and India has 172 nuclear weapons. North Korea, with the smallest stockpile, has 30 nuclear bombs.
Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is valued at approximately USD 4.455 billion. If Pakistan were to sell all its nuclear weapons, it could clear its foreign debt, which stands at around USD 27.4 billion.
Currently, creating a nuclear bomb or warhead costs between USD 18 million (Rs. 1530 crore) and USD 53 million (Rs. 4516 crore), depending on various factors. This means the total cost of a nuclear bomb system could be as high as Rs. 4,500 crore. However, these costs can vary between countries.
According to a 1998 report by the Federation of American Scientists, the B61-12 nuclear bomb from the U.S. is considered highly lethal, with a warhead priced at USD 28 million. However, when factoring in the missile, launch aircraft, launch pads, and maintenance, the total cost of a nuclear weapon is around USD 270 million or roughly Rs. 2,300 crore.
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