Armament and Disarmament: South Africa's Nuclear ExperienceSouth Africa was the first nation in the world to renounce and destroy its top-secret nuclear weapons capability. Its government also eliminated the ability to produce and deliver these warheads. Because no one archived the official documentary evidence of the program, various writers and scholars, as well as the public at large, have been left to speculate-and forget-the activities that consumed billions of rands and years of dedication. Based on facts and first-hand perspectives, Armament and Disarmament offers intimate views from three participants in the nuclear weapons program. A larger picture emerges through their recollections, fulfilling the role of essential perspectives and documentation where official records no longer exist. Out of secrecy and a need-to-know philosophy, many involved in the program, both wittingly and unwittingly, were never briefed as to how their particular endeavors fit into the bigger scheme. Armament and Disarmament sheds light on the complexity of events surrounding the South African nuclear weapons program and brings tribute to the ingenuity and dedication of all those involved. |
Contents
Nuclear Strategy | 1 |
The Defence Force | 16 |
The Nuclear Industry | 30 |
The Armaments Industry | 44 |
Nuclear Weapons | 61 |
Organisation | 73 |
Safety Security and Reliability | 83 |
Nuclear Posture | 90 |
Termination | 95 |
Post Mortem | 105 |
Spirit and Awareness | 114 |
Nomenclature | 121 |
| 127 | |
About the Authors | 129 |
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African Air Force African Defence Force African Nuclear Weapons aircraft Angola apartheid Armaments Industry arms Armscor Atomic Energy Board Atomic Energy Corporation authors became Botha components conflict credible Cuban Defence Industry engineers enriched uranium ensure example facilities fighters force multiplication global power helicopters important international community international sanctions leaders logistical manufacture mass destruction ment military MPLA neutron nuclear capability nuclear deterrent nuclear device Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty nuclear option nuclear posture nuclear strategy nuclear warheads Nuclear Weapons Program one’s operations organisation Overberg Test Range participants payload physical possible Rainbow Nation reconnaissance satellite reliable Research and Development Resolution 418 responsible SADF South African Air South African Defence South African government South African Nuclear South West Africa Southern Africa Southern Angola Soviet proxy forces Soviet Union stand-off story SWAPO target threat tion UNITA United Nations Uranium Enrichment USSR utilising weap weapons of mass weapons systems World Order