Summary

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was completed and opened for signature in 1996. China's acceptance of the treaty marked a watershed in its arms control policy. By the end of 1996 the majority of states had signed it and only India had declared unconditionally that it would not. India's refusal to sign could prevent the treaty from achieving its full legal force, although the international norm against testing is universally accepted.

Although modernization of delivery systems has become more important than modernization of warheads, the CTBT has an important effect on both established arsenals and proliferation.

Appendix 12A. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty

Appendix 12A gives the text of the CTBT.

Appendix 12B. Nuclear explosions, 1945–96

Appendix 12B provides data on nuclear explosions in 1945–96.