12. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty

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

RAGNHILD FERM

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