Through its Building Partner Capacity (BPC) programs, DTRA works with partner nations to enhance local and regional counter-WMD capabilities. Enabling a global network of partners to counter the development, proliferation, and use of WMD and emerging threats recognizes – as outlined in the President’s 2021 Interim National Security Strategic Guidance – that "many of the biggest threats we face respect no borders or walls, and must be met with collective action."
Nonproliferation
U.S. leadership in nonproliferation is essential to reducing the dangers posed by nuclear weapons. DTRA is the DoD lead for training and equipping partner nations in areas including border protection, nonproliferation, and counter-smuggling activities. The Agency enhances international cooperation, interoperability, and provides partners with the tools and training to stop trafficking of WMD, its delivery systems, and related materials.
Cooperative Threat Reduction
One way DTRA builds partner capacity is through the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program (CTR). Under guidance from USD(P) and in close collaboration with Interagency partners such as the Departments of State and Energy, the Agency works with partner nations to prevent the proliferation of WMD and eliminate chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats to the U.S., allies, and partners.
CTR eliminates WMD stockpiles, provides support to consolidate, secure, and account for the materials, and enables partners to detect and prevent WMD trafficking around the world. CTR also includes the Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP) which builds capabilities to detect and track Especially Dangerous Pathogenic (EDP) diseases, and links the U.S. to over 30 foreign partners, enhancing global biosafety, biosecurity, and biosurveillance. In 2021, the Defense Department’s CTR Program celebrates 30 years of collaboration with foreign partners.