Nuclear Weapons Physical Protection Principles

Since its founding in 1957, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has focused on the protection of nuclear materials and nuclear facilities used for peaceful purposes. The international community has worked through the IAEA to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. To achieve these goals, a number of international treaties, including the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its amendment have been developed to ensure States adhere to common physical protection principles. In addition, the IAEA has developed a consensus series of nuclear security series publications to provide fundamental objectives and essential elements of a State's national nuclear security regime and recommendations for implementing an effective regime. No similar efforts have been accomplished with the nuclear weapons states for the protection of nuclear weapons and nuclear facilities associated with defense work. The ultimate goal of the international community should be nuclear disarmament, but as long as nuclear weapons exist, protecting them is of paramount importance. This paper will propose a common set of core principles specifically for physical protection of nuclear weapons to be used as the basis for future international agreements and to reduce the danger that nuclear weapons could end up in the hands of terrorist organizations.