The South African experience: The birth and death of South Africa's nuclear weapons programme*

Based on a presentation to the MEDACT conference Nuclear Weapons in the Millennium?, London, 11 November 1995.

Abstract

Arising out of the development of civil reactors using enriched uranium, and in response to the country's increasing political isolation, a programme of construction of nuclear weapons using highly‐enriched uranium was initiated in South Africa. Six devices were constructed but never tested. After improvement in the political situation the devices were dismantled and the HEU returned to the civil nuclear cycle. South Africa now participates fully in the non‐proliferation process including work towards an African Nuclear‐Weapon‐Free Zone and in other arms‐control initiatives.

Key Words:

• Nuclear weapons
• Nuclear‐Non‐Proliferation Treaty
• Enriched uranium
• South Africa

Notes

Based on a presentation to the MEDACT conference Nuclear Weapons in the Millennium?, London, 11 November 1995.