Ballistic missile proliferation in the Middle East: What role for CBMs such as the HCoC? - HCoC

Supporting the Hague Code of Conduct

an FRS project funded by the European Union

Ballistic missile proliferation in the Middle East: What role for CBMs such as the HCoC?

17 May 2022

Dubai

On 17 May 2022, FRS experts met with a delegation of researchers and officials from the United Arab Emirates in Dubai (UAE). The meeting aimed at discussing about trends in missile proliferation in the region, the benefits of joining the Code for states of the region, the challenges facing the Code, as well as to exchange perspectives on dual-use technologies control.

AGENDA

09:00 – 10:15 Ballistic Proliferation and Security in the Middle East

Welcoming Address / Introductory Remarks: Levallois & EU Representative & Mr. Mohamed Baharoon
Moderator: Mohamed Baharoon
Key Issues:
Ballistic missile proliferation trends and dynamics in the region
Factor of proliferation and security challenges linked to the use of ballistic missile in regional conflicts
Mitigation strategies and perspectives

10:30 – 11:30 The Hague Code of Conduct (HCoC): a tool to regulate destabilizing weapons and promote peaceful uses?

Introductory Remarks: Alexandre Houdaye
Moderator: Sheikha Najla Alqassimi
Key Issues:

Contribution of the Code to international security
Being a Subscribing State: commitments and benefits
Day-to-day implementation of the Code
What opportunities for joining the Code? What constraints?

11:45 – 01:00 Enhancing security while fostering the peaceful uses of space & final remarks & final remarks

Introductory Remarks: Omran Sharaf
Moderator: Emmanuelle Maitre
Key Issues:

Dual-use nature of launching technologies
Current trends in space and developments in the Gulf
Interest of transparency and confidence building measures to promote the peaceful use of space.

September
2020

Current Trends in Ballistic Missile Proliferation

Around 30 states hold ballistic missiles today. All current nuclear-weapon possessor states have acquired missile production capacities to enhance their nuclear deterrence.

January
2020

Research Papers

Ballistic missiles and conventional strike weapons: Adapting the HCoC to address the dissemination of conventional ballistic missiles

The Hague Code of Conduct aims at curbing the proliferation of missiles capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction. Today, with an important increase in ranges, these weapons are more and more used for a conventional mission, by a variety of states. This dissemination illustrates the fact that many stakeholders master the technologies necessary to build and sustain these weapons. But it also raises questions on the possible destabilising effects of these arsenals, even when they are not linked to WMDs.

October
2021

The HCoC and Southeast Asian States

Only three out of ten Southeast Asian states have joined the HCoC to date (the Philippines, Cambodia and Singapore). This limited rate is noteworthy as Southeast Asia is increasingly concerned by the ongoing ballistic missile competition in broader Asia. Moreover, the region is actively investing to benefit from space technologies.