Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS)

Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS) are countries officially recognized under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as possessing nuclear weapons. These include the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom. They are legally permitted to have nuclear arsenals and have committed to pursuing disarmament, while also controlling the spread of nuclear weapons. Their status distinguishes them from non-nuclear-weapon states, which have agreed not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons. The NWS play a key role in global security, nuclear policy, and non-proliferation efforts.