Some 250 experts from around the world and approximately 150 tonnes of equipment will be flown into Namibia next year when the country hosts the next on-site inspection (OSI) Integrated Field Exercise, known as IFE26.
Scheduled to take place over six weeks in October and November 2026, the exercises will be the third large scale on-site inspection exercise organised by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO).
These exercises are the largest of their kind in the world on nuclear disarmament and arms control. Experts believe the activities, approved by Cabinet, positions Namibia in an extremely favorable global stance and clearly signals the country rejects any nuclear arms race.
Additionally, it shows that Namibia is actively contributing towards Article VI of the NPT to find peaceful solutions that will promote nuclear disarmament.
The NPT or Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty, which came into force in 1970, forms the cornerstone of international security architecture and aims to effectively advance nuclear disarmament, curb proliferation crises and promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and applications.
Meanwhile, Cabinet’s approval to host the CTBTO’s exercises is expected to add significant revenue to several Namibian businesses and sectors, with some estimates placing local spending at as much as five million euros or up to N$100 million.
Integrated Field Exercises (IFEs) are among the most complex activities conducted by the CTBTO, as they test almost every aspect of an on-site inspection, including field operations, inspection techniques, data management and logistics within a scientifically credible scenario that mirrors real conditions.
Previous IFEs were held in Kazakhstan in 2008 and Jordan in 2014.
“While we rely on the International Monitoring System (IMS) for detecting nuclear test explosions, the final confirmation must still come from what is found on the ground, which is where on-site inspection will complete the picture.
A CTBTO on-site inspection is designed to provide a clear, shared account for all to see, removing any chance of doubt or misinterpretation,” said CTBTO executive secretary, Robert Floyd.
Participants for the scheduled exercises include surrogate inspectors nominated by state signatories, national technical experts, CTBTO staff and external evaluators.
Around 150 tonnes of equipment are expected to be transported to Namibia by sea and by air for the exercise.
Namibia is a long-standing supporter of the CTBT, having signed it when it opened for signature in 1996 and ratified it in 2001.
Namibia currently hosts two certified IMS facilities near Tsumeb, an auxiliary seismic station (AS67) and an infrasound station (IS35), which contribute to global nuclear explosion detection capabilities.
Namibia also works closely with the CTBTO on regional capacity building.
“IFE26 is expected to bring together around 250 participants from across the world, who will apply their training and expertise in a scenario designed to be as close to a real on-site inspection as possible, and set in a challenging operating environment. The IFE is essential to review and demonstrate current OSI capabilities holistically, highlight areas for improvement and further reinforce the robustness and readiness of the OSI regime,” said Oleg Rozhkov, CTBTO’s director of the OSI Division.
A CTBTO statement issued yesterday noted that on-site inspection will become operational once the CTBT enters into force.
It will then serve as the final measure for determining whether a nuclear test explosion has occurred.
“A State Party may request an inspection of an area where it suspects such an event may have occurred, and the CTBTO Executive Council must approve any request. Should that happen, a trained inspection team would be deployed to the inspection area to carry out activities using the techniques and procedures set out in the treaty and its protocol,” the CTBTO stated.
Participants for IFE26 will include surrogate inspectors nominated by state signatories, national technical experts, CTBTO staff and external evaluators.
“IFE26 builds on a programme of field activities carried out between 2022 and 2025 to strengthen on-site inspection readiness. The Build-up Exercise in Hungary in 2024 served as the final preparatory step, further developing the operational capabilities needed for a full-scale integrated field exercise,” the CTBTO stated.
The CTBT bans all nuclear explosions everywhere, by everyone and for all time. Adherence to the treaty is nearly universal, with 187 signatories and 178 ratifying states.
To enter into force, the treaty must be ratified by all 44 states, of which nine remain to be ratified.
The CTBTO established its IMS to ensure that no nuclear test explosion goes undetected.
Currently, 307 certified facilities of a total of 337 when complete, are operating around the world, using four main technologies for initial nuclear explosion detection. These technologies are seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound and radionuclide.
-ebrandt@nepc.com.na