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It takes expertise, substances and equipment to produce weapons of mass destruction. Various items of equipment may be used in the production. Most of it is dual-use goods, i.e. products with civilian as well as military uses. There are numerous examples of such products, including certain alloys, lasers, advanced measuring devices and machine tools.
An actor´s attempts to acquire dual-use products most often follows established trading patterns. It may therefore be difficult to detect that the products are to be used in the production of weapons of mass destruction. To do this, it is absolutely necessary to have information about the country buying the product, the end user, the seller and the possible market, as it takes both intention and capacity on the part of the actor for the acquisition to pose a tangible threat.
An actor´s attempts to acquire weapons of mass destruction can be divided into four phases. All phases are necessary, but may take place in parallel. The duration of the acquisition process depends on the actor´s technological level and access to expertise, substances, equipment and weapons systems.
The four phases of acquisition
An actor´s attempts to acquire weapons of mass destruction can be divided into four phases. All phases are necessary, but may take place in parallel. The duration of the acquisition process depends on the actor´s technological level and access to expertise, substances, equipment and weapons systems.
The phases are:
- Political decision and build-up of competence. A WMD programme most often starts with a political decision to launch such a programme. The country in question then starts to build its competence within relevant research areas.
- Fundamental build-up of technology. The country in question starts to acquire the fundamental technology. The substances initially needed are produced, or a suitable seller is found.
- Complementary technology and competence. The country in question acquires complementary products by concealing its real motive and the real recipient country. One way of doing this is by making purchases through a cover company registered in another country.
- More sophisticated weapons. The country continues to build, develop and modernise existing weapons systems.
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