yes / New non-lethal technologies (weapons and delivery systems) continue to make the news, both for their civil and military applications. Technologies which were considered to be in the realm of science fiction a few years ago, are now beginning to undergo field trials or, in some cases, are being deployed with police and soldiers on active service. As this, and our previous reports have highlighted, the development of acoustic weapons (Long Range Acoustic Device) and microwave weapons (Active Denial System) have proceeded rapidly as have advances in robotic, unmanned vehicles for the delivery of both lethal and non-lethal weapons. We repeat our concern that there is a danger of these new non-lethal technologies being `rushed¿ into service (1) without thorough testing for harmful health effects, (2) without a deeper consideration of civil and human rights, (3) without full discussion of their impact on arms control treaties and conventions, and (4) without further study of their social and cultural impact. Since many such weapons will have a rheostatic capacity along the non-lethal to lethal continuum, it is important that weapons developers and manufacturers, and those charged with the responsibility of using them, are held clearly accountable and have transparent rules of engagement. Of particular concern are a new generation of biological and chemical weapons. With respect to the health impact, NATO has a panel working on NLW human effects, the Human Factors and Medicine (HFM) Panel 073, which is due to report later this year (2004) on the Human Effects of Non-Lethal Technologies.1

Företeelser som organiserad brottslighet är bland de högsta prioriterade säkerhetsutmaningarna för Sverige, EU och FN. Majoriteten av dödsskjutningarna med koppling till gängkriminalitet i Sverige sker med illegala vapen, och trots Sveriges strikta vapenlagar finns det en ökad trend vad gäller vapensmuggling som även observerats som ett problem på europeisk nivå. Kriminella nätverk utför vapensmuggling över internationella landsgränser där sociala relationer är av vikt för den organiserade verksamhetens upprätthållande. För att förebygga smuggling av vapen är det därför centralt att kartlägga nätverk samt hur relationer och strukturer bidrar till att sprida information och varor, vilket kan utföras genom social nätverksanalys. Kunskapsläget kring vapensmugglingsnätverk är svåröverskådligt och det finns ett fåtal systematiska litteraturöversikter som inkluderar vapensmuggling med applicerad social nätverksanalys som metod. Den aktuella studien ämnar därför, med hjälp av en kvalitativ systematisk litteraturöversikt på kvantitativ data, ge samlad förståelse över vapensmugglingens dynamik och struktur som vidare kan användas som stöd i vidare forskning. Den systematiska litteraturöversikten inkluderar elva vetenskapliga artiklar som använt social nätverksanalys på vapensmuggling. Resultat visar att nätverken är dynamiska, och att strukturen avgörs av olika kombinationer av mönster och aktörer. Fyra olika former av struktur har identifierats i nätverken. Kunskapen om nätverkens olika strukturer kan vidare bidra till att identifiera centrala sårbarheter, vilket kan användas vid riktade insatser på centrala aktörer eller kluster inom nätverket vid illegala inflöden av vapen. / The phenomena of organized crime is one of  the highest priority security challenges for Sweden, the EU, and the UN. The majority of shootings with an outcome of death in Sweden involve illegal weapons. Despite Sweden's strict gun laws, there is an increasing trend in arms trafficking, which has also been observed as a problem at a European level. Criminal networks conduct arms trafficking across international borders, where social relationships are crucial for maintaining organized activities. To prevent arms trafficking, it is therefore essential to map criminal networks and how relationships, as well as structures  contribute to the distribution of information and goods. This can be achieved through social network analysis. The current level of knowledge regarding arms trafficking networks is challenging to overview, and there are few systematic literature reviews that include firearm trafficking with applied social network analysis as a method. Therefore, this study aims, through a qualitative systematic literature review of quantitative data, to provide an extensive understanding of the dynamics and structure of arms trafficking, which can further be used to support future research. The systematic literature review includes eleven scientific articles that have applied social network analysis as a method to the phenomena arms trafficking. The results show that the networks are dynamic and that their structure is determined by various combinations of patterns and actors. Four different forms of structure have been identified within the networks. Knowledge of the different structures of these networks can further contribute to identifying central vulnerabilities, which can be used in targeted interventions on key actors or clusters within the network concerning illegal weapons inflows.

Följande arbetes syfte har varit att titta närmare på förindustriell militaria i nutida utställningar. i huvudsak granskas europeiska rustningar men övrig militaria nämns till mindre utsträckning i arbetet. De tre institutioner som granskas i arbetet är följande: The Wallace Collection, Livrustkammaren samt Skoklosters slott. Här återges en tidslinje från rustningars tid som kroppsskydd och maktsymboler, nygotikens påverkan på ett ökat intresse för rustningar och medeltiden, och den roll rustningar kom att spela. Detta åtföljs av proveniensens och rustningsmedernas stämplar. Många av rustningarna som granskats bär stämplar som kan identifiera dem. Sedan lyfts bevarande av förindustriell militaria. Sista frågeställningen jämför tillgänglighet av objekt i visningssalen, hur ”krigsbyten” i samlingar idag begrundas mer öppet om exempelvis accession och ursprung, samt hur en uppställning kan se ut i praktiken och vad som har förändrats. Avslutningsvis granskas frågan rörande autentiska ”original” och hur ovanligt detta är för rustningar. De flesta rustningar skapades för aktiv användning, hur hanteras då de ”trasiga” delarna? / The following work examines pre-industrial arms and armour in present-day exhibits. The focus leans mostly towards European armour, arms are mentioned but to a lesser extent. The three institutions chosen for this are as following: The Wallace Collection, The Royal armouries of Stockholm and Skokloster Castle. Here a timeline is given to explain armours role as body armour and symbols of power during the medieval and the renaissance period. How the gothic revival during the 19th century created a demand for pre-industrial arms and armour. After that provenance and armourers’ marks are examined for their importance in identifying the armours history. This is followed by an examination of preservation in present-day exhibits. Lastly this work examines things like items on available display, acknowledgements to trophies of war, how a modern exhibit could be set up and lastly the concept of “original” and how rare that can be for armour.

I industriella miljöer är det avgörande att säkerställa människors säkerhet runt robotarmar för att förhindra allvarliga skador vid olyckor. Denna studie syftar till att utveckla ett realtidssystem för fara-detektering som använder datorseende och prediktiva modeller för att förbättra säkerheten. Genom att kombinera YOLOv8-algoritmen för objektigenkänning med Kalmanfiltrering (KF) och Dead Reckoning (DR) kan systemet upptäcka människors närvaro och förutsäga rörelser för att minska risken för olyckor. Det första experimentet visar att KF presterar bättre än DR, särskilt vid linjära rörelser, med lägre medelabsolutfel (MAE) och medelkvadratfel (MSE). Det andra experimentet visar att integrationen av KF med YOLOv8 resulterar i högre precision, noggrannhet och balanserad noggrannhet, även om återkallning fortfarande behöver förbättras. Dessa resultat indikerar att kombinationen av datorseende och prediktiva modeller har betydande potential att förbättra människors säkerhet. Ytterligare forskning och tester i olika scenarier är dock nödvändiga innan implementering i verkliga miljöer. / In industrial environments, ensuring human safety around robotic arms is crucial to prevent severe injuries from accidents. This study aims to develop a real-time hazard detection system using computer vision and predictive modeling techniques to improve safety. By combining the YOLOv8 object detection algorithm with Kalman Filtering (KF) and Dead Reckoning (DR), the system can detect human presence and predict movements to reduce the risk of accidents. The first experiment shows that KF outperforms DR, especially in linear movements, with lower Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Mean Squared Error (MSE). The second experiment demonstrates that integrating KF with YOLOv8 results in higher precision, accuracy, and balanced accuracy, although recall still needs improvement. These findings indicate that combining computer vision with predictive modeling has significant potential to enhance human safety. However, further research and testing in diverse scenarios are necessary before real-world deployment.

The research project investigated the impact of the Firearms Control Act (FCA) 60 of 2000 in restricting gun ownership for at-risk individuals in the Pretoria North Firearm Registration Centre (FRC) policing area and identified prevention strategy as well as specific factors that contributed to this problem. Secondary prevention focuses on situational factors that reduces the means and opportunity for at-risk people to commit crime and can be applied in restricting firearms from at-risk individuals. One hundred and thirteen legal firearm owners in the Pretoria North FRC policing area responded to the questionnaire schedule. Data was also collected through interviews with Designated Firearm Officers (DFO) and court officials in that area. Specific factors have been identified that contribute to firearms landing in the hands of at-risk individuals in the Pretoria North FRC policing area. They are among others, poor administration of some sections of the FCA like background checks and section 102 and 103 unfitness declarations. The role of the DFO in continuous public education program on the FCA is also invaluable. The same goes to the general public s involvement in the identification of at-risk individuals. The South African Police Service management needs to address issues within the police service such as additional trained personnel, allocation of sufficient logistical resources like vehicles, computers and scanners to ensure effectiveness in restricting firearms from at-risk individuals. Several secondary role players have been identified that should work closely with the primary role players to address this problem. The recommendations drawn from conclusions as well as the inter-departmental role of all the different role players may assist in restricting firearms from at-risk individuals. / Police Practice / M.Tech. (Policing)

Text in Afrikaans / Die portefeulje Verdediging het vanaf 1948 tot 1959 besondere eise aan F.C. Erasmus gestel. Hy moes 'n parate en doeltreffende Unieverdedigingsmag, wat Suid-Afrika teen moontlike kommunistiese aggressie kon verdedig, daarstel. Hy moes ook die Nasionale Party se verdedigingsbeleid, tot nag toe abstrakte beginsels vervat in die partyprogram, implementeer. Erasmus het die Mag d.m.v. 'n ingrypende hervormingsprogram met 'n Suid-Afrikaanse identiteit beklee en Afrikaanssprekendes in groat getalle daarheen gelok. Nieteenstaande die beperkte hulpbronne tot die land se beskikking en sterk kritiek teen hom, het Erasmus Suid-Afrika se verdediging met rasse skrede laat vooruitgaan. Hy het die organisasie, opleiding en krygstuig van die Mag uitgebou en gemoderniseer, en ook die grondslag van 'n onafhanklike, plaaslike krygstuigvervaardigingsbedryf gele. Voorts het Erasmus 'n prominente rol in Suid-Afrika se internasionale militere strategie gespeel. Hy bet onvermoeid gepoog om die Europese koloniale moondhede te oorreed om 'n Afrika-verdedigingsorganisasie op die been te bring. 'n Hoogtepunt van sy dienstermyn aan die internasionale front was Brittanje se oordrag van Simonstad aan Suid-Afrika. / The Defence portfolio placed heavy demands on F.C. Erasmus from 1948 to 1959. He had to transform the South African armed forces into an efficient and combat ready Union Defence Force. He also had to implement the National Party's defence policy, which hitherto consisted of abstract principles contained in the party's political programme. Erasmus made far reaching changes to the Union Defence Force, furnishing it with a distinct South African identity. Despite criticism against him and the country's limited resources Erasmus improved South Africa's defence significantly. He modernized the organization, training and equipment of the Union Defence Force and established the basis for an independent local armaments industry. Erasmus also played a prominent role in South Africa's international military strategy. He laboured unceasingly to persuade the European colonial powers to enter into an African defence alli~nce. One of his greatest achievements is the transfer of Simonstown to South Africa. / History / M.A. (Geskiedenis)

Thesis (MA (Political Science. International Studies))--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / Peace operations and security co-operations are expensive. Even though there are a variety of factors that influences peace agents when they consider approving a new, expanding an existing, or closing down a peace operation or security co-operation, one of these factors is the cost factor. If we were to isolate the cost factor it would follow that a reduction in the cost of peace operations and security co-operations, are likely to contribute to peace agents being more willing to approve new, expand existing or to give existing missions more time to consolidate before closing them down. There are a variety of ways how the cost of peace operations or security co-operations can be lowered. This thesis suggests an alliance with the private sector in the form of corporate sponsorships. In short, that peace operations and security co-operations be commodified and commercialised. This would entail introducing corporate sponsorship of some of the commodities that are used in peace operations and security co-operations, followed by the corporate sponsor using their involvement in the peace operation or security co-operation to their commercial advantage. The commodification and commercialisation of peace operations and security co-operations should result in the relevant operations and co-operations benefiting in a cost-effective as well as practical effectiveness sense, whereas the private sponsor should benefit in either or both a financial (profit) or an image-making sense. The psychological theory supporting such an argument is that of social identity theory. This theory explains how positive connotations made with peacemaking in warlike conditions will motivate industries to use this opportunity to show that their products can succeed in such demanding circumstances. Accordingly, social identity theory provides us with evidence as to how the commercialisation and commodification of peace operations and security co-operations can succeed. We also support our argument by providing a case study, Operation Rachel, which serves as a successful example of an operation that was (partially) commodified and commercialised. Operation Rachel, which can be seen as either or both a peace operation and security co-operation, shows that in the case of security co-operations, these operations should be presented as peace operations during the commodification and commercialisation processes.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / India has made a concerted effort to upgrade its ISR, precision strike, and missile defense capabilities as it competes with China and Pakistan for regional power. The Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control System, Su-30MKI fighter-bomber aircraft, and S-300PMU surface-to-air missile system are some examples of the new capabilities India is acquiring. I argue that if India continues its military modernization, Pakistan will become more insecure. The increase in the conventional military capabilities gap will likely upset the existing balance of power in South Asia, leading to a regional arms race, lowering the nuclear threshold, and increasing instability in the region. The strategic stability/tactical instability paradox that exists between two nuclear countries may lead them to engage in "small" wars. India's increasing military capabilities may encourage it to conduct a preventive strike against Pakistan. In such a climate, a regional arms race eventually may lead Pakistan to establish a "hair-trigger" nuclear posture. India's effort to achieve a significantly superior conventional military force over Pakistan paradoxically may reduce Indian security by causing greater instability, and possibly lead to nuclear war. Regional stability is enhanced to the extent that there is a rough conventional military balance between India and Pakistan. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

This thesis examines and evaluates the questions involved in American arms sales to Iran and Egypt. The first two chapters outline the historical background and present detailed analyses of Iran's political situations prior to 1968 and United States policy toward it in that period of time. Chapter Three considers the American policies towards Egypt and the United States arms sales to that country. The main argument of the thesis appears in chapter Four which explains the objectives of Iran's government in buying American arms and the United States government's objectives in selling arms to Iran. Conclusions on the study comprise the fifth chapter.

Thesis (M. of Military Art and Science)--U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 2007. / The original document contains color images. Also available via the Internet.