Discussion » Questions » Military » If the number of nuclear warheads a country has is CLASSIFIED how can we ever know who has what? The honor system? Seriously?

If the number of nuclear warheads a country has is CLASSIFIED how can we ever know who has what? The honor system? Seriously?

Posted - August 29, 2017

Responses


  • 2500
    Trust, but verify.
      August 29, 2017 8:21 AM MDT
    0

  • 16777
    That's what spies are for.
      August 29, 2017 8:55 AM MDT
    1

  • 113301
    TOUCHE! I just giggled out loud Sbf. Nervous giggles certainly. Geez. See how naive I am? OF COURSE THAT'S WHAT SPIES ARE FOR! Double Agents are especially keen on screwing both sides. SIGH. Thank you for your reply and the laughs! "That what spies are for". I shall have to remember that futurely! :)
      August 29, 2017 8:57 AM MDT
    0

  • 3719
    We can never know for certain.

    The other Government may admit to having a certain arsenal, and some things are difficult to conceal anyway; but most of the time it's a matter of estimates based on intelligence (spying, eavesdropping, aerial / satellite reconnaissance etc) and clues from public releases.
      September 14, 2017 7:58 PM MDT
    0