Final answer:
Nations with nuclear weapons include the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, and likely Israel. Canada, Japan, and Australia possess nuclear technology for civilian purposes but do not have nuclear weapons. Many countries have the capability to generate nuclear power without the intent or capability to develop nuclear arms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nations with Nuclear Capabilities
The nations that have nuclear capabilities, which refers to the possession of nuclear weapons, include, in chronological order of their first nuclear tests: the United States, Russia (as the successor state to the Soviet Union), the United Kingdom, France, China, India, and Pakistan. North Korea has also conducted nuclear tests and acknowledges its nuclear status. While not publicly confirmed, Israel is widely believed to have nuclear weapons but maintains a policy of deliberate ambiguity regarding its nuclear capability.
Canada, Japan, and Australia do not have nuclear weapons. Canada and Australia have the technological capabilities for civil nuclear industries but have chosen not to develop nuclear weapons. Japan also has a significant nuclear technology infrastructure for energy production but adheres to a policy of non-weaponization of nuclear technology.
It is essential to differentiate between nations that have nuclear weapons and those that possess nuclear technology for civilian purposes, such as energy production. Approximately fifty-five countries worldwide, including several not on the list of nuclear-armed states, possess fission technology that powers nuclear reactors for research or energy production.