National Armaments Directors help counter improvised explosive devices
On 28 October 2010, Allied National Armament Directors and their Partners for Peace colleagues discussed how they can contribute to the NATO Action Plan on Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The meeting was held within the framework of the biannual Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD).
IEDs are one of the main causes of death and injury in Afghanistan, both to NATO and partner troops as well as Afghan security forces and civilians.
Armaments Directors have long been involved in technology and equipment support in the fight against IEDs. Existing work strands, in particular the Defence against Terrorism Programme of Work, received new impetus at the meeting and new initiatives were identified.
Among these new initiatives is the creation of a Voluntary National Contribution Fund in support of NATO’s Counter-IED (C-IED) Action Plan. The Fund facilitates multinational cooperation by combining financial and non-financial national contributions in support of specific C‑IED projects.
The first project under this new mechanism supports the training of Weapon Intelligence Teams from Allies and Partners before their deployment in Afghanistan. CNAD Permanent Chairman Patrick Auroy congratulated nine countries for having agreed to combine their efforts on this key project. The nine countries are Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. Germany also offered to contribute at a later stage.
The CNAD will continue to identify opportunities for technological and equipment support to the C-IED Action Plan.