Conventional weapons

Abstract

The term refers to means of warfare [1] generally employed in armed conflicts. The term distinguishes this class of weapons [2] from weapons of mass destruction (i.e., nuclear, chemical and biological/bacteriological weapons). International humanitarian law bans or restricts certain conventional weapons to protect civilians from their indiscriminate [3] effects and to spare combatants from suffering superfluous injuries [4] that serve no military purpose. As a consequence, specific weapons are forbidden in all circumstances because of their characteristics (e.g. laser weapons [5]), others are governed by restrictions in use (e.g. incendiary weapons [6]) and others can be both prohibited and restricted in use, according to their type and the treaty obligations applicable (e.g. mines [7]).