Non-lethal weapons: peace enablers or troublesome force? Assessing the role of CS and baton rounds in the Northern Ireland conflict

Abstract

This article seeks to assess the utility of non-lethal weapons (NLWs) under ‘real world’ conditions. A defence technology assessment framework is applied to analyse the use of NLWs during the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland in the late twentieth century. Case analysis demonstrates that the effects of NLW employment in real scenarios significantly depend on the operational context of its use. The approach followed and the assessment outcome can be used to inform the ongoing debate on the utility of existing and novel NLWs to support stabilisation operations in current and future conflict settings.