Study estimates Israel's nuclear weapon count stands at 115
a study conducted by the US based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) estimated that Israel had 115 nuclear bombs in its possession in 2014. The study was composed by the institute's founder David Albright, and was part of a more comprehensive study on the worldwide inventory of plutonium.
The study estimated that Israel produced plutonium at a rapid pace in the past 50 years since the inception of its nuclear reactor in Dimona, acquiring 660 kilograms of plutonium, taking into account an estimation error of 150 kilograms.
A single nuclear bomb requires 3-5 kg of plutonium, the study estimated.
Albright's estimation of Israel's nuclear bomb inventory differed from previous studies; Estimations based on the revelations of Mordechai Vanunu, the former technician at the Dimona nuclear plant who was imprisoned for 18 years for divulging secrets related to Israel’s purported nuclear weapons program, stood at 200. A study by Sweden's Peace Institute estimated the count at 80 bombs.
Albright's study reiterated previous suspicions that Israel's nuclear weapons are produced in the vicinity of Haifa in northern Israel.
It also delved into the myriad of nuclear-weapon delivery vehicles at the disposal of Israel.
Israel developed the Jericho-ballistic missile, according to Albright, along with nuclear-capable cruise missiles and an aircraft that can deliver nuclear weapons. Israel may also have the technology to launch missiles from its submarines, Albright reported.
According to the study, Israel also has the advanced know how to miniaturize nuclear warheads and fit them on missiles.
The study estimated that Israel produced plutonium at a rapid pace in the past 50 years since the inception of its nuclear reactor in Dimona, acquiring 660 kilograms of plutonium, taking into account an estimation error of 150 kilograms.
A single nuclear bomb requires 3-5 kg of plutonium, the study estimated.
Albright's estimation of Israel's nuclear bomb inventory differed from previous studies; Estimations based on the revelations of Mordechai Vanunu, the former technician at the Dimona nuclear plant who was imprisoned for 18 years for divulging secrets related to Israel’s purported nuclear weapons program, stood at 200. A study by Sweden's Peace Institute estimated the count at 80 bombs.
Albright's study reiterated previous suspicions that Israel's nuclear weapons are produced in the vicinity of Haifa in northern Israel.
It also delved into the myriad of nuclear-weapon delivery vehicles at the disposal of Israel.
Israel developed the Jericho-ballistic missile, according to Albright, along with nuclear-capable cruise missiles and an aircraft that can deliver nuclear weapons. Israel may also have the technology to launch missiles from its submarines, Albright reported.
According to the study, Israel also has the advanced know how to miniaturize nuclear warheads and fit them on missiles.
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