Namibia’s Integrated Field Exercise equipment to be transported next week monday

Equipment for Namibia’s historic Integrated Field Exercise 2026 (IFE26) will be transported from Walvis Bay International Airport to a base of operations in Swakopmund on Monday, 12 October, between 06:30 and 09:00.

Construction of the base is expected to be completed by Tuesday, as preparations progress for the exercise running until 20 November.

Namibia is hosting the first CTBTO Integrated Field Exercise on African soil, simulating an on-site inspection under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). 

IFE26 will allow international participants to practise inspection techniques and procedures under realistic field conditions. It follows previous integrated exercises in Kazakhstan in 2008 and Jordan in 2014.

Authorities have assured residents that the activities are controlled and that “no nuclear materials, hazardous or dangerous goods will be used during the exercise”. Residents of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund can expect increased movement of vehicles, equipment and personnel, as well as temporary structures associated with the exercise.

Namibia signed the CTBT in 1996 and ratified it in 2001, working with the CTBTO on monitoring and regional capacity-building initiatives.

UPDATE: Desmarius Hansen