Tracking trafficked weapons using CAR’s StoryMap
CAR shows the movement of illicit weapons to Nigeria's herder-farmer conflict. (Image: Conflict Armament Research)
Esri UK awards CAR 2021 Map Creator Customer Award for a visual tool to track the trafficking of illicit weapons.
Conflict Armament Research has been awarded the 2021 Map Creator Customer Award by Esri UK for its creation of a StoryMap approach to visually communicate its findings and inform UN and EU policymakers.
CAR investigates illicit weapons supplies into conflict zones.
CAR published its first StoryMap using Esri’s ArcGIS Online in February 2020 to report on Nigeria’s herder-farmer conflict, which has mainly involved the nation’s Christian and Muslim Fulani rural populations.
The map was derived from evidence collected through its first field study on the trafficking of weapons and ammunition to armed groups in Northern Nigeria.
CAR extracted this data from spreadsheets and used it to create a story, explored through three case studies, of how these groups were being armed.
Using Esri’s terrain map CAR can show the movements of weapons from Turkey, the Ivory Coast and Libya.
CAR uses ArcGIS capabilities for its database on diverted weapons and ammunition into conflict zones.
CAR has also created iTrace to aid national arms export control agencies in identifying diversion risks prior to export.
iTrace automatically quantifies diversion risks and profiles the sources of diversion nationally, regionally, and globally.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026]()
Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026
The country has allocated RM21.70 billion for defence spending next year, with some major procurements set to be initiated across the country’s army, navy and air force.
-
![How Canada plans to “seize” the opportunity to increase investments in defence]()
How Canada plans to “seize” the opportunity to increase investments in defence
The Canadian Department of National Defence has been increasing efforts to accelerate the acquisition of new equipment and modernise its in-service inventory.
-
![Palantir and Boeing partner up to bring AI to defence manufacturing]()
Palantir and Boeing partner up to bring AI to defence manufacturing
The partnership with the US airframer will see Palantir’s AI software leveraged to help streamline data analytics across Boeing’s 12 factories on defence and classified programmes.
-
![DroneShield to double its US footprint to meet growing demand for counter-UxS capabilities]()
DroneShield to double its US footprint to meet growing demand for counter-UxS capabilities
DroneShield disclosed to Shephard its plans to increase its workforce and manufacturing capacities while strengthening partnerships with US suppliers.
-
![Singapore’s DSTA seeks wider partnerships to advance robotics and AI capabilities]()
Singapore’s DSTA seeks wider partnerships to advance robotics and AI capabilities
The technology organisation is expecting a significant rise in the number of staff working across robotics and digital solutions as it becomes more of a focal point.
