Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty (1972)

Treaty between the former USSR and the United States prohibiting the deployment of a defence of national territory against strategic ballistic missile attack. In force.

Ballistic missile

Missile which follows a ballistic trajectory (part of which may be outside the earth's atmosphere) when thrust is terminated.

Ballistic missile defence (BMD)

Weapon system designed to defend against a ballistic missile attack by intercepting and destroying ballistic missiles or their warheads in flight.

Bangkok Treaty (1995)

The Treaty establishes a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Southeast Asia. In force.

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) (1996)

The Treaty places a worldwide ban on nuclear test explosions of any kind and in any environment. Not yet in force.

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Preparatory Commission (CTBTO PrepCom)

The PrepCom is carrying out the activities necessary for effective implementation of the CTBT until the Treaty enters into force, at which time the CTBTO can be established.

Conference on Disarmament

The single multilateral disarmament negotiating body of the international community. Meets in Geneva. Negotiated the Chemical Weapons Convention (1992) and the CTBT (1996).

De-alerting

Removing missiles from hair-trigger alert, i.e., reducing the state of readiness of the missile system to respond to a warning signal.

De-mating

Removing a warhead from its delivery vehicle.

Decisions "package"

Decisions taken at the 1995 Review and Extension of the NPT, comprising: decision 1 on strengthening the review process for the Treaty, decision 2 on principles and objectives for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, decision 3 on the indefinite extension of the NPT, and a resolution on the Middle East.

Dual-use technology

Technology that can be used for both civilian and military applications.

Fissile material

Material composed of atoms that can be split by either fast or slow (thermal) neutrons. Uranium-235 and plutonium-239 are the most common fissile materials. Weapons-grade enriched uranium usually contains concentrations of uranium-235 in excess of 90%.

Fissile material treaty (FMT) negotiations

In 1998 the CD agreed to commence negotiations on a non­discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. Negotiations have not yet begun. Also sometimes referred to as the fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT) negotiations.

Global control system (GCS)

A system, proposed by Russia in 1999, for preventing the proliferation of missiles and missile technology, which would include a regime of notification of ballistic missile launches. The system would operate under UN auspices and be open to all countries.

Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)

Ballistic missile with a range greater than 5,500 km.

Intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF)

Theatre nuclear forces with a range of 1,000‑5,500 km.

International Atomic Energy Agency

The intergovernmental Agency, established in 1957, plays an essential role in the implementation of the nuclear non­proliferation regime; it is the competent authority responsible for verifying and assuring compliance with safeguards agreements concluded between the Agency and a State or States.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The principal juridical organ of the United Nations system. In 1996 it issued an advisory opinion on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons.

Missile Technology Control Regime

An informal military-related export control regime, established in 1987, to limit the spread of weapons of mass destruction by controlling the missiles capable of delivering them.

Multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs)

Re-entry vehicles, carried by a single ballistic missile, which can be directed to separate targets along separate trajectories.

National missile defence system (NMD)

A weapon system designed to defend national territory against a ballistic missile attack. See BMD above.

Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)

Established in 1975, the NSG coordinates multilateral export controls on nuclear materials.

Pelindaba Treaty (1996)

The Treaty establishes a nuclear-weapon-free zone for the continent of Africa. Not yet in force.

Rarotonga Treaty (1985)

The Treaty establishes a nuclear-weapon-free zone for the South Pacific. In force.

Re-entry vehicle (RV)

The part of a ballistic missile that carries a nuclear warhead and/or penetration aids to the target.

Safeguards agreements

Agreements concluded between the IAEA and a State or States to ensure that nuclear materials, equipment and facilities intended for peaceful use are not used for the production of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. "Comprehensive" or "full-scope" safeguards cover all of a State's nuclear material and activities. In 1997, the IAEA approved the Model Additional Protocol, aimed at strengthening safeguards.

Security assurances

Guarantees given by nuclear-weapon States (NWS) to non­nuclear-weapon States (NNWS) which may entail (a) commitment not to use nuclear weapons against NNWS, i.e. negative security assurance or (b) immediate assistance to NNWS against which nuclear weapons are used or threatened, ie. positive security assurance. Such assurances could take the form of an internationally legally binding instrument; no such instrument exists at this time.

Short-range nuclear weapons

Nuclear weapons with ranges of up to 500 km.

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty/ies (START)

* 1991 Treaty between the former USSR and the United States placed a ceiling of 6,000 warheads on 1,600 deployed strategic missiles and heavy bombers for each side by 2001 (START I). In force.

* 1993 Treaty between the Russian Federation and the United States mandated reductions of warheads on long-range nuclear missiles to 3,500 for each side by 2003, and eliminated MIRVed ICBMs (START II). Ratified by both sides but not in force until the United States approves 1997 protocols.

*Negotiations on further strategic arms reductions, to begin after START II enters into force (START III).

Strategic nuclear weapons

ICBMs and SLBMs with a range usually of over 5,500 km, as well as bombs and missiles carried on aircraft of intercontinental range.

Subcritical tests

Nuclear experiments that stop short of triggering a self­sustaining nuclear chain reaction.

Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM)

A ballistic missile launched from a submarine, usually with a range in excess of 5,500 km.

Tactical nuclear weapons

Short-range nuclear weapons which are deployed with general purpose forces.

Theatre missile defence (TMD)

Weapon systems designed to defend against non-strategic nuclear missiles by intercepting and destroying them in flight.

Tlatelolco Treaty (1967)

The Treaty establishes a nuclear-weapon-free zone for Latin America and the Caribbean. Enters into force for each Government individually. 

Zangger Committee

Established in 1971, the Nuclear Exporters Committee, called the Zangger Committee after its first chairman, is a group of nuclear supplier countries within the NPT that meets informally twice a Year to coordinate export controls on nuclear materials.