1.   BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE FOR CFSP SUPPORT

1.0   The challenge

A State’s ability to classify, quantify and account for conventional ammunition under national ownership and control is a foundational requirement for safe, secure, and sustainable through-life conventional ammunition management, as well as for strengthening arms control and preventing diversion and proliferation. Without this capacity, States face heightened risks of accidental explosions, diversion and the uncontrolled proliferation of ammunition. These risks are particularly acute in conflict-affected and low-capacity settings where national authorities often lack the technical, financial, operational and organisational capacities to manage their conventional ammunition. In such contexts, States may:

—	Be unable to accurately forecast ammunition requirements or plan for timely and cost-effective procurement.

—	Fail to identify deteriorating or unsafe ammunition, raising the risk of accidental explosions.

—	Miss opportunities to identify and safely dispose of obsolete ammunition, thereby compounding safety and security risks.

—	Lack comprehensive records, including batch and lot number tracking, undermining their ability to trace ammunition, identify points of diversion, and support post-diversion investigations.

—	Lose visibility over the physical location and legal status of ammunition stockpiles, increasing the risk of diversion and obstructing traceability.

—	Have insufficient capacity to issue and verify end-user certificates and conduct robust pre- and post-transfer risk assessments, as required under bilateral and multilateral export control agreements.

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Be unable to fulfil international commitments as exporter and stockpiling states under instruments such as the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN PoA) and Global Framework for Through-Life Conventional Ammunition Management (Global Framework).

In response to these operational and institutional gaps, there is a pressing need for context-appropriate, standards-based systems that enable States to establish robust and sustainable inventory management frameworks. To effectively address both safety and security risks, such systems must go beyond basic record-keeping. They must support the systematic collection, integration, and analysis of a comprehensive set of data – not only on the type, location, and quantity of ammunition, but also on its condition, serviceability, and surveillance status throughout the life cycle. This requires dedicated digital infrastructure that can facilitate informed decision-making, risk prioritisation, and long-term planning, while also reinforcing arms control and non-proliferation objectives, in line with international standards, guidelines and good practices, such as those found in the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG) and called for in Objective 5 and Objective 7 of the Global Framework.

1.1   AIMS/SIMS: A digital solution for comprehensive inventory management

Following several requests from national authorities for support in strengthening arms control and non-proliferation efforts through improved inventory and surveillance of conventional ammunition stockpiles, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) – through its Ammunition Management Advisory Team (AMAT) – is developing the AIMS/SIMS software package.

AIMS (Ammunition Inventory Management System) is a digital, scalable, and IATG-aligned software tool designed to support safe, secure, and sustainable ammunition stockpile management. Based on an inventory management system used by the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom, AIMS is currently in the development phase and will be piloted in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), with strong interest from other countries, including Kazakhstan, Moldova and Peru.

AIMS supports both national efforts to reduce the risks posed by unsafely and insecurely managed ammunition stockpiles and contributes to enhancing the organisational capacity of national authorities for through-life conventional ammunition management. Specifically, AIMS offers the following key benefits:

—	Enhances safety for personnel and civilian population by supporting the safe storage, handling, transportation, and disposal of ammunition.

—	Enables the timely detection of losses and diversion through real-time stock tracking and routine physical stock checks.

—	Improves stockpile efficiency and risk reduction by linking inventory management with surveillance data to inform planning, procurement, and disposal decisions.

—	Drives institutional strengthening by promoting process reviews, standardised procedures, and long-term capacity development under nationally led frameworks.

While AIMS operates independently, it is designed to work in synergy with the Surveillance Information Management System (SIMS). SIMS tracks the condition and stability of ammunition over time and is integrated with AIMS, supporting risk-based decision making, planning and management. Developed in line with the IATG, SIMS facilitates the systematic collection, storage, and analysis of data related to physical inspections, chemical tests, environmental exposure, and condition coding. It captures critical information on ageing, degradation, and instability (including for high-risk items such as propellant-based munitions), allowing for early identification of unsafe ammunition. This supports the prioritisation of risk mitigation measures, such as targeted disposal, bans, or movement restrictions, and ensures that only ammunition that is safe to store, transport, and use is retained in the national stockpile.

When linked with AIMS, SIMS allows for real-time cross-referencing of inventory and condition data, enabling national technical authorities to make evidence-based decisions on surveillance planning, resource allocation, and long-term stockpile management. By embedding surveillance data into broader inventory management, the combined system strengthens national capacities to reduce the risk of accidental explosions and supports compliance with international safety and security norms.

The AIMS/SIMS software package fills a critical capability gap not addressed by any other existing system, by offering a nationally owned, standards-based and scalable digital infrastructure platform for safe, secure, and sustainable conventional ammunition management. In addition, AIMS/SIMS offer States the ability to directly implement Objectives 5 and 7 of the Global Framework, while also facilitating progress on Objective 6 (risk reduction), Objective 10 (diversion prevention), Objective 11 (marking and tracing), Objective 12 (diversion information sharing), and Objective 13 (data collection and analysis on diversion). Beyond their alignment with the Global Framework, AIMS/SIMS supports the implementation of key EU arms control and security instruments, including the EU Strategy against Illicit Firearms, Small Arms & Light Weapons and their Ammunition, the EU Council Common Position on Arms Exports (2008/944/CFSP and its 2019 revision), and the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Regional Roadmaps (e.g. the Western Balkans Roadmap 2024).

By enabling accurate and real-time inventory data, condition tracking, and traceability of ammunition, these systems strengthen a state’s ability to conduct pre- and post-transfer risk assessments, verify end-use and end-user compliance, and contribute to more robust national control systems – in line with the EU Common Position’s Article 5 criteria. They also directly support the EU’s broader security and development priorities by reducing the risk of diversion, improving transparency, and enhancing reporting capacity under the ATT, UN PoA, and UN Security Council arms embargo regimes.

1.1.1   Market analysis

The majority of States lack dedicated inventory management systems designed specifically for managing conventional ammunition. In many contexts, national authorities rely on improvised or inadequate systems – such as paper registers, Excel spreadsheets, or general logistics software, firearms registration platforms, or donor-supplied solutions – which are not fit for purpose when it comes to the complex demands of through-life conventional ammunition management. These alternatives often lack key technical features such as lot-level usage tracking, compatibility group management, explosive hazard classification, explosive limit licenses and condition monitoring. As a result, they fall short in supporting efforts to prevent and mitigate accidental explosions, diversion, surplus accumulation and sharing of information, including for purposes of tracing and international reporting.

It is important to distinguish between weapons registries and ammunition inventory management systems. Weapons registries generally focus on ownership, identification, and transfer controls – whereas ammunition, being consumable, perishable, and often stored in bulk, requires a far more detailed and dynamic system. Effective ammunition management systems must track technical specifications (calibre, type, lot number, net explosive quantity), storage data (location, compatibility group, hazard classification), surveillance results, serviceability status, movement history, and disposal actions. This broader dataset is essential not only for safe handling and operational planning but also for surveillance, loss detection, life-cycle forecasting, and financial planning.

A number of existing digital tools (1) offer partial solutions for ammunition inventory management and record-keeping. While useful, these systems are primarily designed for SALW and related ammunition. As a result, they tend to exclude broader categories of conventional ammunition and lack key functionalities such as integration with surveillance data, compatibility group classification, hazard labelling, or full life-cycle tracking. These limitations significantly reduce their utility for comprehensive, through-life conventional ammunition management and hinder their ability to support risk-based decision-making or planning processes.

In contrast, the AIMS/SIMS software package is purpose-built to meet the full spectrum of requirements for safe, secure, and sustainable through-life conventional ammunition management. AIMS/SIMS facilitates timely, lot-level tracking of all ammunition types; integrates surveillance data; supports compatibility group classification, hazard categorisation, and alignment with international standards. The system is scalable, adaptable to national workflows, and designed to work across multiple locations under national control. Crucially, AIMS transforms basic inventory tracking into a strategic tool that enhances the capabilities of national authorities to plan, enhance the safety and security of the national stockpile, enhance ability to collect and analyse data on diverted ammunition, share information (including on diversion and illicit trafficking) and meet international non-proliferation and arms control commitments through the integrated use of real-time, multi-purpose ammunition data.

1.1.2   Alternative solutions:

General logistics platforms used by individual States also focus on overall asset management, but are not tailored to the safety, security, and transparency needs of conventional ammunition, and are not meant to support international arms control and non-proliferation aims.

By contrast, AIMS/SIMS is purpose-built, IATG-aligned, and globally deployable – offering a dedicated digital solution to reduce diversion risks, prevent accidental explosions, and strengthen arms control and non-proliferation efforts.

1.2.   AIMS/SIMS software development

1.2.1   Ownership

To ensure full interoperability and cost-effectiveness, AIMS and SIMS are being developed in parallel using a shared software architecture, offering a dual, integrated solution to two of the most complex challenges in through-life conventional ammunition management: inventory control and surveillance. The baseline AIMS/SIMS software, including the source code, will remain the property of the GICHD and its software development partner. The software will be provided to States free of charge.

However, due to the complexity of installation – particularly the initial data entry and adaptation to national procedures and workflows – the GICHD will support each country in installing and customising the software to ensure proper and effective implementation. Once installed, the national instance of the AIMS/SIMS software becomes the property of the partner country. Neither the GICHD nor any third party will have access to the national system, unless it is required and access has been given by the country itself via Gateway PC to fix bugs or to install updates. This approach mirrors the software ownership model adopted for the GICHD’s Information Management System for Mine Action.

1.2.2   Development timeline, milestones and financing

The AIMS/SIMS initiative has been in development since 2022. The initial proof of concept was carried out between 2022 and 2023 with funding from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). During this phase, the conceptual framework for the inventory management system was developed with inputs from the IATG Technical Review Board, and an experienced logistics software development firm was selected through an open tender to produce the prototype software.

In 2023, Bosnia and Herzegovina requested international support to strengthen the safety, security, and accountability of its national ammunition stockpiles. In response, the GICHD launched a project to design and develop the core AIMS software architecture, with Bosnia and Herzegovina serving as the pilot country for testing and validation. This phase was made possible through financial and technical support from the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS).

Throughout 2024, the GICHD conducted an extensive user requirement exercise in close collaboration with a dedicated Technical Working Group composed of representatives from mandated ministries and agencies. During the user-requirement process, it became clear that an additional software tool would be needed to manage surveillance-related information alongside inventory management. As a result, the final software architecture was re-designed to include both AIMS and SIMS, developed in line with the IATG and aimed at strengthening the ability of national authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to prevent diversion, enhance accountability, and advance broader arms control and non-proliferation objectives.

In 2025, fundraising is underway to support the finalisation of the AIMS/SIMS software packages, including their validation, the development of implementation training materials and resources, and the preparation for rollout in Moldova. In the interim, the GICHD has supported preparatory work to ensure that the technical information and data required for the proper functioning of AIMS and SIMS are available, with a focus on enabling accurate identification of ammunition for diversion prevention, end-user verification, and international reporting. BiH is expected to conduct a comprehensive accounting of its national ammunition stockpile to ensure that the data entered into AIMS is accurate and complete. Once the software development is finalised (estimated at 18 months following confirmation of funding), AIMS/SIMS will be fully implemented in BiH. This pilot implementation will serve as a key validation of the system’s functionality and provide essential lessons learned to guide the deployment in Moldova.

2.   PROJECT GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND RESULTS

2.1   Overall objective

The project’s goal is to facilitate the safe, secure and sustainable through-life management of conventional ammunition under national ownership and control in BiH and Moldova through the adoption and sustained use of the AIMS/SIMS software package. As a consequence, this project will support the implementation of the Global Framework and other relevant EU and international arms control and non-proliferation instruments. The project does not support or enhance the combat or operational capacity of armed forces; its scope is strictly limited to diversion prevention, arms control and non-proliferation.

2.2   Specific objectives

To achieve this goal, the project will work towards the following objectives:

Objective 1: Develop, refine, and deploy the AIMS/SIMS software in BiH and Moldova as a scalable, and IATG-aligned tool for national authorities to manage ammunition safely, securely, and accountably, thus mitigating the risk of diversion and accidental explosions.

Objective 2: Enhance organizational capabilities of national authorities of BiH and Moldova for through-life conventional ammunition management through the adoption, integration, and sustained use of the AIMS/SIMS software package, supporting national ownership, sustainable implementation and diversion prevention.

Objective 3: Through its implementation by BiH and Moldova, promote the AIMS/SIMS software and its alignment with the Global Framework and relevant EU and international arms control initiatives (notably the ATT and UN PoA) covering goals such as: diversion prevention, tracing of illicit ammunition, end-use monitoring, and ammunition safety.

3.   EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND OUTPUTS

3.1    Outcome 1: A fully developed AIMS/SIMS software package that provides a digital solution for safe, secure, and sustainable inventory and surveillance management of conventional ammunition, thus strengthening diversion prevention, tracing of illicit ammunition, end-use monitoring, and ammunition safety.

3.1.1   Activities

—	Develop and validate the AIMS/SIMS software as a modular, IATG-compliant set of tools for inventory management and surveillance of conventional ammunition, aligned with IATG.

—	Produce a complete implementation package, including training materials, user guides, and integration protocols to support national roll-out and long-term sustainability.

—	Develop AIMS/SIMS Documentation and Operational protocols by documenting the software's architecture, user manuals, and data entry protocols.

Key milestone: Development of the AIMS/SIMS software.

3.2    Outcome 2: Enhanced organisational capacity of BiH and Moldova to implement through-life inventory management and surveillance of ammunition, in line with IATG.

3.2.1   Activities Implementation Phase A. Engagement and Project Initiation

—	Receive a formal request or conclude agreement with BiH and Moldova to strengthen national arms control, non-proliferation, and diversion-prevention efforts through the adoption of AIMS/SIMS.

—	Establish a national Expert Working Group (EWG) to guide and oversee project implementation in BiH and Moldova.

—	Facilitate a technical planning workshop with the EWG and other stakeholders to define implementation tasks and develop a detailed project implementation plan workplan.

—	Raise awareness and provide training to the EWG and mandated national authorities on ammunition inventory management and the use of AIMS/SIMS diversion prevention, tracing of illicit ammunition, end-use monitoring, and ammunition safety.

Key milestone: Signing of the partnership agreement with BiH and Moldova.

3.2.2   Activities Implementation Phase B. Regulatory and Technical Framework Development

—	Define the national regulatory, procedural, and technical foundations required to adopt and sustain AIMS/SIMS.

—	Support the EWG to develop and approve an Ammunition Technical Directory and a consolidated National Ammunition Database to support standardised inventory and surveillance processes.

—	Support the EWG to map and document all existing workflows and procedures related to inventory, record-keeping, and surveillance.

—	Work with the EWG to identify, document and approve the integration approach between AIMS/SIMS and any existing systems (e.g. general logistics software).

—	Identify necessary hardware and software requirements for national deployment. Support the national authorities in BiH and Moldova to seek additional funding if necessary to procure hardware and software.

—	Provide technical advice and operational assistance in conducting a full inventory of conventional ammunition.

Key milestone: Approval of Ammunition Technical Directory, Database, and process maps by the mandated national authorities in BiH and Moldova.

3.2.3   Activities Implementation Phase C: System Integration and Training

—	Install AIMS and SIMS on BiH and Moldova’s national data storage platform, ensuring secure configuration.

—	Deliver structured training and mentoring to required users.

—	Assist, upon request, in data cleaning and integration into the AIMS and SIMS systems.

Key milestone: Software installation and data integration into AIMS and SIMS.

3.2.4   Activities Implementation Phase D: Capacity building and systems sustainability

—	Deliver refresher training, mentoring, and handover/takeover support for newly appointed staff.

Key milestone: System sustainably embedded in national structures.

3.3    Outcome 3: Through its implementation by BiH and Moldova, the AIMS/SIMS software and its alignment with the Global Framework and relevant EU and international arms control initiatives (notably the ATT and UN PoA) is promoted.

3.3.1   Activities

—	Organise and deliver at least two side events at international and regional arms control conferences to promote AIMS/SIMS and its alignment with the Global Framework and EU SALW Strategy.

—	Develop and disseminate outreach materials that illustrate how AIMS/SIMS contributes to the implementation of the Global Framework as well as EU and broader UN arms control goals (e.g. diversion prevention, end-use monitoring, and transparency).

—	Hold dedicated webinars for technical experts, national authorities, and regional partners on the role of inventory management and surveillance, safe, secure, and sustainable through-life conventional ammunition management.

—	Provide advisory support to BiH and Moldova to demonstrate how AIMS/SIMS can generate data for reporting under the Global Framework, ATT, UN PoA, and other instruments.

—	Encourage peer learning by sharing lessons from the BiH and Moldova’s implementation of AIMS/SIMS with other interested States.

Key milestone: AIMS/SIMS promoted at the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Regional Meetings (2026-2027) on the Global Framework and at the 2027 Global Framework Meeting of States, UN Programme of Action on SALW meetings, and other relevant international, regional, and subregional meetings.

4.   TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTING AGENCY

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) operates globally in partnership with national mine action and ammunition management authorities, operators, the UN, and other actors. In 2024, the Centre worked in over 40 countries and territories. The GICHD works to reduce risks to communities stemming from all types of explosive ordnance: landmines, cluster munitions, explosive remnants of war, and unsafely and insecurely managed conventional ammunition.

Established in January 2019 as a joint initiative of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and the GICHD, the Ammunition Management Advisory Team (AMAT) supports the operationalization of the UN SaferGuard programme and provides technical assistance to States and partners in the safe, secure and sustainable through-life management of ammunition, in accordance with the IATG. Since its creation, AMAT has set a positive track record for providing technical assistance to States assessed to be at risk, as well as other partners in the safe and secure management of ammunition in accordance with the IATG.

The GICHD has a unique mission to support and professionalize explosive ordnance risk reduction, promoting innovative, tailored, and sustainable solutions. Through its lines of services, thematic expertise, and geographic approaches, the Centre focuses primarily on upstream work, helping national authorities take ownership of their programs and concentrating on developing appropriate strategies, standards, and management frameworks. Unlike organizations that focus primarily on either field implementation or high-level advocacy, the GICHD bridges practice and policy across the entire mine action and ammunition management spectrum, from developing international norms and standards to delivering tailored, on-the-ground support for national authorities. Its work in contextualizing strategies and standards, particularly through close collaboration with affected states, ensures that global frameworks remain relevant, practical, and nationally owned.

Combined with its unique convening power, bringing together governments, UN agencies, NGOs, academia, and the private sector; the GICHD plays a critical role in aligning operational realities with evolving policy frameworks, ensuring coherence, adaptability, and lasting impact for communities affected by explosive ordnance.

5.   EU POLICY ALIGNMENT

This project directly supports multiple EU policy frameworks:

5.1   EU Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Strategy

AIMS/SIMS directly addresses the EU SALW Strategy’s core concern that ‘poor stockpile security is a key factor that allows arms and ammunition to be diverted from the licit to the illicit markets’. By providing robust digital inventory management capabilities, AIMS/SIMS strengthens stockpile security and supports the EU’s commitment to promote implementation of international standards and guidelines like the IATG. The system’s real-time tracking and accountability features help prevent and identify diversion by maintaining comprehensive records of ammunition movements and storage conditions.

5.2   EU Common Position 2008/944 on Arms Exports

The 2025 updated EU Common Position directly aligns with AIMS/SIMS capabilities across multiple priority areas. AIMS/SIMS supports the Council’s commitment to enhance tracing and promotes supply chain transparency that helps minimize diversion risks during transfers. The system facilitates end-user verification and monitoring as a diversion prevention tool, by providing the essential information required to enable these to occur. AIMS/SIMS directly supports capacity building of third countries in all areas of ammunition stockpile management.

5.3   Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management

Inventory management is a cornerstone requirement for implementing the Global Framework’s Objectives. AIMS/SIMS directly supports Objective 4 by enhancing national authorities’ capabilities in through-life ammunition management through integrated planning, reporting, and disposal functions. AIMS/SIMS and its companion SIMS software advance Objectives 5-7 by providing systematic surveillance, risk reduction processes, and comprehensive inventory management systems. The platform also strengthens Objectives 8-9 and 11 by promoting supply chain transparency, supporting end-user monitoring, and enhancing marking and tracing capabilities.

5.4   Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

The AIMS/SIMS software supports ATT implementation by enabling more accurate reporting on ammunition stocks and movements, facilitating end-user monitoring through comprehensive tracking capabilities, and providing the documentation infrastructure that helps importing States demonstrate their commitment to preventing diversion and ensuring accountability in ammunition management.

5.5   United Nations Programme of Action (UN PoA) on SALW

AIMS/SIMS advances the UN PoA’s core commitments on stockpile management and security by providing the technological foundation for effective inventory management. The system’s integrated approach to inventory management and tracing capabilities directly supports the UN PoA’s emphasis on preventing illicit trafficking through improved stockpile security. AIMS enables States to maintain detailed records and accountability measures that are fundamental to responsible stockpile management under the UN PoA framework.

5.6   Neighbourhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) Global Europe – Regulation (EU) 2021/947

AIMS/SIMS directly supports the objective as set out in Annex II, point 6(g), to NDICI Regulation (2) by serving as a cornerstone of responsible governance in arms and ammunition management. The system promotes good governance and accountability measures that are consistent with democratically controlled defense and security forces. By supporting AIMS/SIMS implementation in neighbourhood countries, NDICI investments advance the security sector reform that provides more effective, democratic, and accountable security instruments for sustainable development and peace.

6.   EU VISIBILITY

The GICHD will take all appropriate measures to publicise the fact that the project has been funded by the EU. Such measures will be carried out in accordance with the EU Visibility Guidelines (3).

The GICHD will thus ensure the visibility of the EU’s contribution with appropriate branding and publicity, highlighting the role of the EU, ensuring the transparency of its actions and raising awareness of the reasons for the Decision, as well as EU support for the Decision and the results of this support. Material produced by the project will prominently display the EU flag in accordance with EU guidelines for the accurate use and reproduction of the flag.

Given that planned activities vary greatly in scope and character, a range of promotional tools will be used, including media; websites; social media; and informational and promotional materials, including infographics, leaflets, newsletters, press releases and others, as appropriate. The GICHD will explicitly acknowledge the support of EU in all relevant GICHD publications, including the Annual Report, or any other publications related to the grant, highlighting work supported by the proposal. The GICHD will offer opportunities for the EU representatives to speak at relevant GICHD-hosted or co-hosted events, workshops, or forums, highlighting their commitment and partnership. Publications, public events, campaigns, and equipment procured under the project will be branded accordingly.