Hague Code against the proliferation of ballistic missiles

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The Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC) is a political agreement and not a binding document under international law.

The international community is endeavoring to prevent the proliferation of ballistic missiles , which can be delivery systems for weapons of mass destruction , worldwide. The HCoC serves as a supplement to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) - missile technology control regime. Problems of the HCoC exist particularly in the conceptual area. He misses

  • a clear prohibition standard,
  • a catalog of self-restraint measures for member states,
  • Cooperation incentives as well
  • a clear definition.

Another shortcoming is the non-binding nature of the transparency measures.

The HCoC pursues the following objectives:

  • create a comprehensive non-proliferation regime against carrier technology so as to
  • to counteract the proliferation of ballistic missiles (BM) as a means of delivery for weapons of mass destruction.

The focus is on the peaceful use of space programs. Consideration is given here to support for spacecraft carrier programs from other countries in order to prevent a contribution to carrier systems for weapons of mass destruction.

The primary goal is compliance with generally recognized, but not (yet) binding transparency measures with the main focus

  • Compliance with existing space programs and
  • Vigilance in cooperation in space programs

The essential contents and possibilities of the confidence-building measures with which transparency is to be achieved include

  • the preparation of a national annual report by the member states regarding their civilian and military missile programs and their missile stock as well as their exchange among themselves
  • the exchange of pre-launch notifications about planned launches and test flights of ballistic missiles and spacecraft carrier systems. These notifications should contain information such as the type class, the planned start window (time), the start location and the planned direction.
  • Invitation of international observers to land-based launch sites

The following areas are covered:

  • ballistic missiles
  • single-use spacecraft carrier systems

During an international conference in The Hague on November 25-26, 2002, the HCoC “Hague Code of Conduct against the Proliferation of Ballistic Missiles”, formerly known as the “International Code of Conduct (ICoC)” was finalized. 93 states signed the HCoC at that time.

To date, the number of signatory states has increased to 137 ((as of February 11, 2014)). However, important states that have launch technology are still outside this new instrument. These states include Egypt, China, India, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan and Syria.

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