NCJ Number
46205
Date Published
1976
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS INVOLVED IN WEAPONS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR THE REVOLUTIONARY-TERRORIST ARE EXPLORED, USING THE BELFAST BRIGADE OF THE PROVISIONAL IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (IRA) AS EXAMPLE.
Abstract
BRITISH INTELLIGENCE, DUPLICITY ON THE PART OF ARMS DEALERS, AND IRA INCOMPETENCE ARE CITED AS MAJOR OBSTACLES IN THE IRA'S OBTAINING NEW WEAPONS. ALL ATTEMPTS TO ORGANIZE A MAJOR ARMS SHIPMENT HAVE FAILED. IT IS NOTED THAT THE IRA, HAVING LITTLE EXPERIENCE IN SUBSTANTIAL, ILLICIT ARMS TRANSFERS, HAS BEEN UNWILLING TO INVEST IN THE NECESSARY AND EXPENSIVE CERTIFICATION INVOLVED IN CREATING THE APPROPRIATE LEGAL FORMS AND ORGANIZATION THAT WOULD MAKE LARGER ARMS SHIPMENTS POSSIBLE. IT IS INDICATED THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE NEW WEAPONS TO ARRIVE IN BELFAST HAVE BEEN THE COLT AR-15, SEMIAUTOMATIC CIVILIAN VERSION OF THE M-16, AND THE AR-180, THE ARMALITE. DIFFICULTY IN THE REGULAR USE OF SUCH WEAPONS EXISTS BECAUSE AMMUNITION AND REPLACEMENTS MUST COME FROM AMERICA OR GERMANY. TRAINING IN THE USE OF SOPHISTICATED WEAPONRY, ASSUMING IT CAN BE SECURED, IS CITED AS ANOTHER MAJOR PROBLEM. THE IMPORTATION OF SKILLED INSTRUCTORS OR THE SENDING OF VOLUNTEERS ABROAD FOR WEAPONRY COURSES ARE VIEWED AS THE PRINCIPAL TRAINING OPTIONS, BUT THE IRA HAS NOT YET FOUND A WAY TO DO THIS. IT IS CONCLUDED, THEREFORE, THAT IN A WORLD FILLED WITH AWESOME WEAPONS, THE CONCERN THAT THESE WEAPONS MIGHT BE SECURED AND USED BY TERRORISTS SHOULD BE GIVEN MINOR EMPHASIS. THE USE OF CONVENTIONAL, SIMPLE WEAPONS IS BELIEVED THE PREFERENCE OF TERRORISTS, IN ORDER THAT THEIR STRATEGIES AND SCOPE OF VIOLENCE REMAIN FAMILIAR AND MANAGEABLE. (RCB)