Publication

This paper summarizes the issue of Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) for political decision-makers concentrating on the potential effects of MANPADS on civilian aviation. It describes the history of MANPADS attacks against civilian aircraft and analyzes these cases. Control of MANPADS stockpiles and transfers are a key to restricting MANPADS attacks. Other critical features of MANPADS controls are the legal and diplomatic agreements, such as the Wassenaar Arrangement, which act to restrict MANPADS diffusion to some degree. Finally, the authors discuss the concept of ‘layered countermeasures’ as a key to protecting civilian aircraft.