The destruction of surplus stockpiles of weapons and ammunition is a critical component in controlling the illegal flow and use of weapons by terrorists and criminals. Two of the foremost threats today are Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS).
SALW account for the vast majority of injuries in all types of armed conflict and many international organisations are successfully focused on this specific issue. Within the definition of SALW are included items necessary for the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) such as detonators and bulk explosives, which are highly valued by criminals and terrorists.
MANPADS are not a new, but a growing threat as availability of these weapons increases. The reported (unsuccessful) deployment of MANPADS against an Israeli airliner in November 2002, a DHL A300 aircraft civil aircraft in Baghdad on November 2003 and strike against a US military C5 in January 2004 are examples of the ease with which attacks can be mounted.
There is currently little control or transparency in the manufacture or transfer of weapons and ammunition in the international marketplace and the black market is able to thrive in such an environment.
Stockpile destruction plays a major role in the Global War on Terrorism in that surplus weapons and ammunition can be excluded from potential supply chains. The destruction of surplus stockpiled ammunition and weapons makes a significant contribution to the three key issues listed below:
Combating Terrorism
The origin of most weapons used by terrorists can be traced back to surplus stockpiles of post war or Cold War nations. Weapons and ammunition are freely available from corrupt and weak regimes and those nations seeking to fuel terrorism. SALW and their associated ammunition feature heavily in illegal arms trafficking.
In the current climate of international terrorism the use of MANPADS against civil and military aircraft is of particular concern. MANPADS alone are responsible for over 50% of military aircraft losses due a very low survivability rate, especially at low altitude. Civil aircraft are highly vulnerable during take-off and landing.
National and Regional Stability
The availability of SALW and other weapons systems fuels national and regional unrest. The presence of weapons prevents the effective introduction of confidence building and security measures, especially in post conflict situations. This inevitably makes the various tasks of the United Nations (UN) and other humanitarian organisation much harder to achieve.
Human Security
The uncontrolled spread of weapons and their associated ammunition has exacerbated conflicts which in turn contribute to human rights violations, undermined political and economic development, destabilised communities and devastated the lives of millions of people.
The Human Security issue is particularly applicable to antipersonnel mines that are often deployed indiscriminately during conflict and remain to threaten local populations for decades afterwards. Stockpile destruction is an intrinsic component of the Mine Ban Treaty, because Article 4 obliges stockpile destruction within 4 years of signing.
Effectiveness of Stockpile Destruction
Stockpile destruction addresses the three issues above in a highly effective manner because:
The threat is removed before it reaches the supply chain.
- Physical security issues are eliminated.
- It is financially cost effective; no recovery incentives or systems are required.
- Destruction and accountability / verification processes are relatively easily addressed.
- The threat from stockpiled, sometimes unstable, ammunition is removed.
The spread and misuse of weapons hinders efforts to promote peace and development, fuelling violent conflict, acts of terrorism and increasing armed crime. Every weapon or item of ammunition destroyed is one less than can be introduced into the supply chain.
Stockpile destruction is a highly effective and economic weapons control measure in limiting the availability of potential threats such as SALW and MANPADS.
Learn more about TRLtd demilitarization capabilities.
