The paper reviews the two Integrated Field Exercises conducted in Kazakhstan in 2008 (IFE08) and Jordan in 2014 (IFE14), comparing their design, operational challenges and technical capabilities. Drawing on lessons learned from both exercises, the authors propose a series of recommendations to support the planning and implementation of IFE26, the CTBTO's next large-scale field exercise, scheduled to take place in Namibia over six weeks in October and November 2026.
Among the recommendations are strengthening logistics and data integration, expanding regional capacity-building, enhancing media and public outreach, increasing the participation of young professionals and fostering broader international engagement with the CTBT verification regime. The paper argues that regular, realistic field exercises remain essential for maintaining CTBTO’s operational readiness and reinforcing confidence in the Treaty’s verification system.
The publication forms part of the CTBTO Research Fellowship 2025, an initiative that brings together emerging researchers to contribute fresh perspectives on nuclear test-ban verification, non-proliferation and disarmament. The paper was co-authored by Federica Petrucci, Nadine Alaa Eldin, Daniyar Ashimov and Mariia Savenkova.
