Presented by Hugh Griffiths for SIPRI at the 10th biennial International Security Forum (ISF), held in Geneva, 22 to 24 April. For more information, visit the ISF 2013 website: http://www.isf.ethz.ch/

1. Tracking aircraft & ship movements
Key determinants in detecting clandestine arms transfers
Cases studies from Mali
Hugh Griffiths
Countering Illicit Trafficking – Mechanism Assessment Projects, SIPRI
ISF, Geneva, 23 April 2013

2. • One of the most effective means of detecting clandestine arms transfers is to
monitor the aircraft and ships involved in such transfers.
• Governments, militaries and United Nations investigators attached to the UN
Panels of Experts working on behalf of the UN Sanctions Committees monitoring
UN embargoes in Africa, the Middle East and North East Asia have long
acknowledged this.
• SIPRI is the only independent research institute to have established databases,
informal networks, social media and other tools to focus to specifically on this issue.

3. Transport: the “choke point” for monitoring & control”
AWACS/Land/Maritime Radar
Embargoed groups
Arms brokers Airport records Aircraft/ship databases
Insurance
Refineries
Precious metal suppliers
Narcotic cartels Underworld markets
Air traffic control flight plans
Port safety inspections
Transfer documentation
Ship satellites

4. a
A

5. a
Ship:”MEHMET ALI KOYMEN”
General cargo ship designed for
transporting dangerous goods
IMO:9396701

6. - Metalika were responsible for a 2008
SALW transfer to Armenia
- This transfer was diverted to Iran
- Rocket propelled grenades shipped as
part of this transfer were recovered
in Iraq from Shia militia by U.S.
forces
- Weaponry brokered by Metalika to
Armenia was used against U.S. forces
in Iraq
http://www.cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=09YEREVAN20

7. Conclusions
• A focus on transportation actors involved in clandestine or
otherwise “hidden” arms shipments:
- Provide a wealth of data on intermediaries
- Highlight regional alliances with neighboring states
- Provide indicators as to whether the shipment or a part thereof
may be ultimately diverted for illicit or illegal purposes
- Transport is key, but research potential remains largely
untapped