A series of occasional papers on interstellar defence and fleet issues, from Jim's Fighting Fleets study group, the Defence Estimation - Long-term Planning, Homeworlds & Interstellar group.

Paper 1/3212 : Use of Weapons
Defence Staff Instructions relating to the circumstance surrounding the use of weapons by members of the XDF.
(Extract)
3212.200

Chapter Three
Weapons of Mass Destruction *
Executive Summary.

1) It is the policy of the XDF to neither confirm nor deny the presence of WMDs on-board UXN or PDF vessels or deployed with XMC or PDF units.

2) The Union of Xyon reserves the right to retaliate in kind in response to any use of WMDs against the property, persons, or interests of the Union.

3) The Union of Xyon has a ‘First Use’ policy with respect to AIs and threats of a non-human origin.

4) Authorisation to employ WMDs is devolved to the operational commander in relation to (2) and (3)above. In all other circumstances authorisation is to be sought from the Defence Ministry, Agama IV.

5) The Union of Xyon is a signatory to the 2977 Treaty of Geneva.

*Excludes devices employed in EMP mode. See Chapter 4.