Small Arms Survey

12/06/2026

Out now! Our 2025 presents our contribution over the past year to addressing global shifting dynamics through field-based research, global , and practical entry points for more effective responses to armed and illicit arms .

The Report reflects our efforts to strengthen both the application of established tools and the development of innovative approaches in response to evolving challenges. In doing so, it underscores our commitment to advancing more adaptive, evidence-driven, and context-sensitive strategies to address today’s complex realities.

Read it here:

2025 witnessed renewed geopolitical competition and ongoing conflicts fuel increased military expenditure and expansion of the global small arms market. Data collected proved that rising demand is accelerating the diffusion of weapons, including into the hands of non-state actors across multiple reg...

10/06/2026

How can a country apply a whole-of-society approach to C-IED measures?

Burkina Faso is one country that provides such an example. In 2024, the government launched a national strategy and action plan on C-IED that builds coordination mechanisms that include a wide array of stakeholders—not just the military and security forces, but also civil society organizations, humanitarian mine action organizations, and even private companies that manage explosives and precursor chemicals.

Read more in our blog post:

By Julien Joly and Paul Amoroso

09/06/2026

A third training successfully delivered! In May, the Survey delivered a two-week training course on weapons and ammunition management in Rabat, , under the EU-LAS III project, funded by the .

The high level of engagement and discussion throughout the course reflected the strong foundation of knowledge and experience previously demonstrated by Moroccan participants in earlier EU-LAS phases. Building on that momentum, this training provided an opportunity to further deepen technical skills and strengthen cooperation with the country.

A special thank you to Morocco, and particularly to our partners at the Ministry of Interior, for their outstanding collaboration, commitment, and warm welcome.
🇪🇺 🇲🇦

08/06/2026

In Ukraine at least eight out of ten of the largest reported seizures from traffickers involved arms or ammunition that were scavenged or found in de-occupied areas or near the line of contact. Securing these items would remove a major source of illicit weapons, and particularly light weapons, in the country.

Read more findings from our recent joint Report with CENSS on proliferation and control of arms and ammunition in wartime Ukraine here:

Since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, vast quantities of small arms, light weapons, and ammunition have been deployed to the front lines, some of which have been lost or abandoned by combatants and subsequently found and stockpiled by civilians over the course of the...

03/06/2026

Civilian fi****ms circulation in borderland and peripheral areas is difficult to monitor and quantify. Existing approaches often struggle to capture how fi****ms move through informal systems over time, particularly in environments shaped by cross-border flows, mobility, and localized security dynamics.

Our new Briefing Paper 'Monitoring Civilian Fi****ms in Borderlands: A Framework for Trend Analysis and Estimation' introduces a practical approach for monitoring directional change in civilian-held fi****ms. Rather than attempting to count weapons directly, it focuses on identifying local circulation patterns and producing informed estimate ranges grounded in observable indicators.

The approach was recently tested in Northern Kenya, as explained in a related blog post, and is intended to support more adaptive and locally informed responses to civilian fi****ms dynamics.

Read more:

Civilian fi****ms circulation in borderland and peripheral areas is difficult to monitor and quantify. Existing approaches often struggle to capture how fi****ms move through informal systems over time, particularly in environments shaped by cross-border flows, mobility, and localized security dynam...

28/05/2026

How can the HDP Nexus help structure responses from humanitarian, development, and peace practitioners to IED threats, while preserving distinct mandates and principles? Read our new blog post:

'Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) continue to cause deaths and injuries, endanger communities, and undermine both development and recovery across conflict and crime-affected contexts. Attacks on civilian infrastructure, such as bridges, roads, and communication towers, isolate communities, preven...

21/05/2026

The political ascent of South Sudan’s former Vice-President Benjamin Bol Mel was meteoric, and his downfall was just as rapid.

Our 2025 Situation Update traces Bol Mel’s political career, from businessman who funneled state funds into the president’s pockets, to Vice-President, to dismissal and house arrest. As dramatic as this story is, it’s a familiar pattern under Kiir: build up potential successors until their ambitions are revealed, then remove them. Bol Mel, Paul Malong Awan, Nhial Deng Nhial, and Akol Koor Kuc—all thought indispensable, and all dismissed with minimal fuss.

Salva Kiir has ruled South Sudan for two decades. Now 74, in poor health, and having postponed national elections to 2026, the question of succession has been a steady feature of political debate in Juba. Vice-President Benjamin Bol Mel, backed by Kiir’s family after diverting state funds into the...

19/05/2026

Armed violence in Ukraine doesn’t just happen at the frontlines. According to official estimates, there are between 1 and 5 million illicit fi****ms circulating in the country. The Survey’s research, conducted with Center for Security Studies CENSS, identified the importance of preventing the misuse of civilian-held fi****ms in order to guarantee long-term safety and stability. Our partnership with Norwegian People's Aid has allowed us to translate this into concrete projects. Throughout April 2026, a new training course was piloted in Kyiv and Kamianske to give Administrative Service Centre staff skills in fi****ms and explosive threat identification, conflict psychology and de-escalation techniques, and safe behaviour protocols in order to ensure the safety of citizens accessing public services, as well as their staff.

More here: https://censs.org/the-center-for-security-studies-censs-is-continuing-its-series-of-training-sessions-for-employees-of-the-administrative-service-centers-on-security-awareness/?lang=en

13/05/2026

Have there been notable shifts in the mechanics of illicit fi****ms trafficking in the Caribbean, including with respect to trafficking from the United States?

Maritime shipments from the United States continue to be a major vector for illicit trafficking, with procurement and shipment of illicit fi****ms from the US concentrated in southern coastal states. Seizures of rifles—especially AR- and AK-pattern models—have risen in recent years, but still comprise a small percentage of all seized fi****ms.

Read more in our 2025 Report on firearm-related violence and trafficking in the Caribbean here:

The Caribbean region continues to suffer from high levels of firearm-related violence, with worrying developments that include the recruitment of children and adolescents into armed gangs, shootings in hospitals, and a surge in gang violence. Most of the weapons seized from perpetrators of these and...

13/05/2026

We were delighted to welcome Raymond Johansen, Secretary General of Norwegian People's Aid, and his team to the Survey this week—not only to celebrate the opening of their new offices in Geneva, but also to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between our organizations.

This global strategic partnership strengthens our joint work on , supporting countries with data, analysis, policy dialogue, capacity development, and safe storage and destruction of weapons and ammunition. The Memorandum reflects years of collaboration, including joint work in and the .

In a world of complex challenges and limited resources, strong partnerships built on shared values and a commitment to meaningful change are more important than ever.

We thank NPA for their continued partnership and look forward to deepening our cooperation and exploring new opportunities for joint initiatives.