North Korea’s nuclear capabilities

NORTH Korea announced yesterday that it had tested an atomic weapon, a claim that if true would make it the latest member of the elite club of nuclear powers.

How many bombs: Estimates of the amount of radioactive material the North possesses vary widely, enough for possibly between four and 13 weapons, and are unverifiable.

The count compares with a US arsenal of over 5,000 strategic warheads, over 1,000 operational tactical weapons and approximately 3,000 reserve strategic and tactical warheads.