Weapons and Ammunition Management

Weapons and Ammunition Stockpile Management

An accumulation of conventional ammunition presents significant risks to personnel and surrounding communities, particularly within ammunition storage areas. Ammunition storage area explosions remain widespread, with more than 623 incidents recorded across at least 106 countries and territories between 1979 and December 2019.

Within weapons and ammunition management, stockpile management refers to the procedures and activities associated with the safe and secure accounting, storage, handling, transportation, and disposal of conventional ammunition, including planned conventional munitions disposal to reduce safety, security, and proliferation risks. This approach aligns closely with Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM), which focuses on reducing the risks of accidental explosions, loss, theft, and diversion of weapons and ammunition.

The objectives of effective weapons and ammunition management include:

• reducing the risk to personnel and communities from unplanned explosive events

• reducing the diversion of weapons and ammunition to illicit markets

• ensuring the efficient and responsible use of limited resources

These objectives reflect the core aims of PSSM programmes, which seek to strengthen physical security, improve stockpile safety, and reduce the proliferation risks associated with poorly managed weapons and ammunition.

SafeLane improves the safety, security, efficiency, and effectiveness of weapons and ammunition management by applying established PSSM principles and aligning activities with International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG) and UN SaferGuard frameworks.

Ammunition storage

Safe ammunition storage is a fundamental component of weapons and ammunition management. Explosives must be stored safely and securely in licensed facilities designed to control risk.

SafeLane designs and implements explosive storage control regimes in operational environments using UN SaferGuard and IATG principles. This ensures the safe storage, handling, processing, and internal transportation of ammunition and explosives.

Ammunition accounting

Effective ammunition accounting underpins safe weapons and ammunition management. SafeLane designs and implements inventory management systems to ensure that only serviceable and safe ammunition is issued for training or operational use.

Accurate accounting also supports duty-of-care obligations by enabling appropriate quantity distances to be applied based on verified net explosive weight.

Ammunition Demilitarisation and Destruction

Demilitarisation is an increasingly important element of weapons and ammunition management. Ageing or obsolete munitions present ongoing safety, security, and financial risks if retained. Conventional munitions disposal is a core component of this process, ensuring surplus or unsafe ammunition is destroyed safely and in accordance with recognised standards.

SafeLane delivers ammunition demilitarisation using a range of techniques, from open burning and open detonation to controlled industrial demilitarisation processes, selected according to context, safety requirements, and environmental considerations.

Security of ammunition stockpiles  

Secure stockpiles are essential to effective weapons and ammunition management. Within a Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) framework, this includes measures to prevent unauthorised access, theft, diversion, sabotage, and loss of weapons and ammunition.

Our approach is based on a philosophy of due care, taking proactive measures to ensure ammunition stockpiles are secured to appropriate standards at all times.

Transport of ammunition

SafeLane supports the safe transport of ammunition as part of integrated weapons and ammunition management programmes. Operations are conducted in line with UN Model Regulations and the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) developed by the UNECE, which is specifically designed to cover the transport of dangerous goods (including ammunition and explosives) by road. 

Risk Management

Risk management is a critical component of weapons and ammunition management and Physical Security and Stockpile Management planning and delivery. SafeLane designs and implements integrated risk management systems aligned with ISO guidance.

These systems examine organisational, management, administrative, and operational processes to ensure risks are identified, controlled, and reviewed throughout the lifecycle of ammunition management activities.