Dual Use Goods and Technologies
Dual use goods and technologies refer to items, software, or technology that can be used for both civilian and military applications. While they are essential for various commercial and research activities, they also harbour the potential to contribute to the development of weapons, including weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
Examples of Dual Use Goods and Technologies
- Nuclear Materials: Uranium, for instance, serves both nuclear power generation and the manufacture of nuclear weapons.
- Chemicals: Certain chemicals used in pharmaceuticals or industrial processes can also be employed in the production of chemical weapons. For instance, chlorine, used for water purification, can also be a precursor for chemical weapons like nerve agents or mustard gas.
- Biological Agents: Pathogens and toxins used in medical research or vaccine production can be weaponized in biological warfare.
Advanced Computing: High-performance computers and software find applications in civilian industries (such as animation or weather modelling) but also have military uses (such as simulations and encryption). - Artificial Intelligence: As AI advances, it garners attention as a dual use technology with potential security risks. AI can be applied across various fields and integrated into existing technology’s cyberspace.
- Aerospace Technology: Technologies used in civilian aviation can also be relevant to military aircraft and missile technology. Innovations developed for space exploration benefit telecommunications, weather monitoring, and GPS systems.
Dual Use Goods Fuelled Iran’s Drone Program
Iran has developed a relatively sophisticated military drone program, despite facing constraints, by utilizing dual use technology components. These components allow Iranian drone makers to avoid scrutiny and mass-produce combat drones. The drones have been used in various conflicts and foreign policy endeavours, showcasing Iran’s advancement in drone technology.
One of the notable drones in Iran’s arsenal is the Shahed series, including the Shahed 101 and Shahed 131. These drones are believed to be utilized by Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned militia in Iraq. With estimated ranges of at least 700 km (434 miles) and a cost of $20,000 or more, these drones demonstrate Iran’s capability to produce effective and affordable unmanned aerial vehicles. The Shahed drones are designed and likely manufactured by the Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center, a company under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iran’s drone manufacturing efforts have significantly increased in the past five years, driven by conflicts and foreign policy ambitions. These drones have been used in various conflicts, including in Ukraine, where Iran supplied long-range Shahed-136 suicide drones and shorter-range Mohajer-6 attack drones to Russia. These drones have played a significant role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
A key component of these drones is their engine. For example, the Iranian Shahed-129 drone uses the Rotax 914 aircraft engine, similar to those used on U.S. Predator drones. By utilizing dual-use technology components like engines, Iran can produce combat drones while avoiding direct scrutiny.
Iran’s use of dual use goods to enhance its drone capabilities demonstrates the complex interplay between civilian and military technologies. As Iran continues to develop its drone program, it is likely to remain a key player in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles, utilizing dual use goods to overcome technological constraints.
International Collaboration to Prevent Misuse of Dual Use Goods
International Control Regimes play a crucial role in regulating the trade of dual use goods, which are items, software, or technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. These regimes involve collaboration between countries to ensure that such goods are not diverted for military purposes or to countries involved in the development of weapons of mass destruction. Here are some key international control regimes:
Wassenaar Arrangement
This multilateral export control regime focuses on conventional arms and dual use goods. Participating countries exchange information and coordinate their export control policies to ensure that sensitive technologies do not fall into the wrong hands. The Wassenaar Arrangement lists specific items that are subject to export controls, including advanced materials, electronics, computers, and telecommunications equipment.
Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
The NSG is a group of nuclear supplier countries that work together to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Member states control the export of nuclear materials, equipment, and technology to ensure that they are used for peaceful purposes only. The NSG was created in response to concerns about the spread of nuclear weapons and aims to promote nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.
Australia Group
The Australia Group is an informal grouping of countries that aims to control the export of chemical and biological materials that could be misused for weapons purposes. The group was established in response to the use of chemical weapons in the 1980s and seeks to prevent the proliferation of such weapons. Member countries coordinate their export control policies and exchange information to ensure that sensitive materials do not fall into the wrong hands.
These international control regimes play a crucial role in maintaining global security and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. By coordinating their efforts and sharing information, countries can ensure that dual-use goods are used for peaceful purposes and do not contribute to the development of weapons of mass destruction.
