On 29 may 2019, in the context of the Space Security Conference, organized by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), the FRS conducted a panel dedicated to the HCoC.

Moderator :

  • Dr Xavier Pasco, Director, Fondation pour la recherche stratégique

Panel :

  • Amb. Ann-Sofie Nilsson, Swedish Ambassador for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
  • Ms Isabelle Sourbes, Research Director, Centre national de la recherche scientifique
  • Mr Tal Inbar, Head of the Space Research Center, Fisher Institute for Air & Space Strategic Studies

The panels of the Space Security Conference can be viewed on the following link:

Research Papers

The Rise of Small Launchers: What Impact on Ballistic Missile Proliferation?

This paper recalls the state of ballistic missile proliferation at the time of the adoption of the Code, before delving into the genesis of the Code and especially the various reports and meetings that promoted the adoption of a supply-side multilateral instrument. It describes the conferences and diplomatic efforts that led to the Code in 2002. It also explains why the Code ended up the way it is today with modest ambitions but concrete outcomes.

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Research Papers

The HCoC and China

China is currently the main ballistic missile possessor and spacefaring nation which remains outside the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC). This can be explained by China’s traditional opacity regarding its deployment of strategic missiles, but also its exports of ballistic systems or technologies abroad. This absence is nonetheless problematic for a regime based on voluntary transparency and confidence-building which aims at universality.

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