Lawrence de Bivort wrote: France mounted a nuclear weapons program when it decided that it shouldn't > rely on the US nuclear umbrella and established its 'force de frappe' > policies. >
I know, but to the tune of 210 tests?!? Think of the cost! What more can you learn after test #10 or 20. I don't suppose the French were developing MIRV missiles. Israel detonated at least one atmospheric test off the coast of South Africa > and in conjunction with the then apartheid/Boer government of South Africa. Absolutely, positively not. They would never think of doing a thing like that. They ratified the limited test ban treaty in 1963, within months of original signatories (U.S., U.K. and the USSR, who invited all other countries to join). The apparent test off of South Africa took place in 1979. Israel would never in a million years violate a major treaty with the U.S. Or with anyone else for that matter, any more than the U.S. would. - Jed
