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Altmann, Jürgen --- "Military Applications: Special Conditions for Regulation" [2010] ELECD 725; in Hodge, A. Graeme; Bowman, M. Diana; Maynard, D. Andrew (eds), "International Handbook on Regulating Nanotechnologies" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2010)

Book Title: International Handbook on Regulating Nanotechnologies

Editor(s): Hodge, A. Graeme; Bowman, M. Diana; Maynard, D. Andrew

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781848446731

Section: Chapter 17

Section Title: Military Applications: Special Conditions for Regulation

Author(s): Altmann, Jürgen

Number of pages: 16

Extract:

17 Military applications: special conditions
for regulation
Jürgen Altmann


17.1 INTRODUCTION

Nanotechnology has the potential to change the way wars are fought, with
the possibility of exceptionally small, uninhabited vehicles or weapons
capable of autonomous firing decisions. Unconstrained, these applications
could lead to precarious situations between states, as well as arms pro-
liferation. Further, specific military uses of nanotechnology could make
their way onto the civilian market, with non-state actors or individuals
using it for illegal activity. Given this, regulation of military uses of nan-
otechnology is required. However, regulation of technology applications
by the military takes place in a quite different framework than in the civil-
ian realm.
In order to better understand the special conditions that apply to mili-
tary uses of technology, this chapter will first recall how regulation works
within civilian applications. The chapter will then discuss how military
uses of any technology are regulated, and the problems associated with
regulation of the military given the requirements of combat effectiveness
and secrecy. The use of preventive arms control at an international level is
then discussed. Next, this chapter looks at military research and develop-
ment of nanotechnology, as well as the potential military uses of nano-
technology. Finally, the chapter will suggest concepts for international
regulation of military nanotechnology and pose the question if mastering
the coming revolutionary technologies will be possible within the existing
international system.


17.2 `NORMAL' (CIVILIAN) REGULATION
Regulation of technologies that carry a risk usually takes place within
...