Indigenous Russian MPC&A

The ultimate objective of the widespread efforts to secure neclear materials in the former Soviet Union is for the cooperating states to support the continued operation of material protection, control, and accounting (MPC&A) systems at the nation and site levels, thus ensuring long-term nuclear material security within their borders. From this perspective, the long-term viability of these efforts depends upon an indigenous capability to support the MPC&A-related equipment and viable economic and technological infrastructure to continue to support the MPC&A technology. The proliferation of new business entities within the evolving economic system of the Russian Federation (RF), while encouraging, also introduces elements of confusion and uncertainty. THis paper discusses potential problems and offers suggestions for strengthening, assisting and interacting with in-country suppliers of MPC&A equipment as well as the partyies involved in carring out MPC&A activities throughout the former Soviet Union.