Dismantlement of nuclear weapons will be at the core of nuclear disarmament. With approximately 15,000 nuclear weapons in the world, how can they be dismantled verifiably? How can all countries have confidence that dismantlement has taken place? How can countries with these weapons provide assurance—but not spread proliferation sensitive information? Are the tools to do this even available?
During Phase I, IPNDV partners considered these questions and outlined a comprehensive 14-step dismantlement process, starting with the removal of a nuclear weapon from its delivery system and ending with the disposal of its components. Phase I also provided an in-depth analysis of the monitoring approaches associated with actual dismantlement of a nuclear weapon.
A new interactive infographic from the IPNDV brings this process to life. Based on a hypothetical treaty that involves countries with and without nuclear weapons, web visitors can track a nuclear weapon from the arrival at a dismantlement facility to the separation and storage of the high explosives and special nuclear material after dismantlement has taken place. The interactive infographic integrates the three-year effort of working groups addressing Monitoring and Verification Objectives; On-Site Inspections; and Technical Challenges and Solutions, with a series of challenges, objectives, and tasks for inspectors and host countries, as well as specific procedures and technologies that can be used to verify and monitor the process.
Take a closer look and explore the step-by-step interactive here.
