It was also used after the end of the war for testing new weapons.
Both sides used this war as an opportunity to test improved weapons and tactics.
So he knew all the different ramifications of testing - how can you test nuclear weapons?
The change in global security, he said, ultimately prompted India to test nuclear weapons.
But even with the cold war over, the national security agencies argue that it remains important to test existing weapons.
The nearby naval air station needed a place for pilots to test weapons.
The ban was imposed after the two countries tested nuclear weapons in May.
But since 1998, when both tested nuclear weapons, their dispute has commanded the world's attention.
They accuse us of testing secret weapons when we've assured them we aren't!
By voting against it, were Republicans giving foreign regimes a "green light" to test nuclear weapons?