Since all explosive munitions can become ERW, this question relates to all explosive munitions used in armed conflict.

The existing IHL principles and rules applicable to the use of explosive munitions

This is because all explosive ordnance is capable of failing to explode as intended.

The United Kingdom therefore considers that the question relates to the use of all explosive munitions, including cluster munitions, during an armed conflict.

The United Kingdom recognises that all explosive munitions are capable of becoming Explosive Remnants of War.

(i) Improving munition packaging and transport in order to minimize the possibility of physical degradation of the munition, its explosive fill and its fusing systems

When planning or executing attacks using explosive ordnance during an armed conflict the United Kingdom applies the following principles

Additionally, the United Kingdom applies the following further principles when using explosive munitions during an armed conflict.

The type of EO, its principles of operation, net explosive quantity and designed terminal effects will all contribute to the consequence of the inadvertent initiation of the EO.

Features shall be incorporated in the fuze system to facilitate the use of EOD tools, equipment and procedures for the application of render safe procedures.

As such, information from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community, both defence and NGO, could be used to further refine the British risk matrix.

Assistance is also being provided to the Professional Ethics Office, Crime Scene Office and Public Information Office of the national police and the immigration services, as well as in the areas of close protection, counter terrorism and explosive ordnance disposal.

The code on explosives

(i) Cannon shells ( 14.5mm)

Calls upon all interested States to determine the size of their surplus stockpiles of ammunition, explosive materials and detonating devices if they represent a security risk and if external assistance is needed to eliminate this risk

Most types of submunitions are designed to disperse submunitions over a wide area (some models disperse submunitions over a square kilometre).

Importantly it should also be recognised that marked improvements in reliability cannot be delivered from improved production processes alone, but would necessarily have to come from significant changes in the base technologies used in EO.

(iii) Sub Munitions

(e) Small calibre ammunitions

Identifying high risk munitions

Specific Types of Munitions

Recognizes that the security of stockpiles must be taken into consideration and that the appropriate controls with regard to the security and safety of stockpiles of conventional ammunition, explosive materials and detonating devices are indispensable at the national level in order to eliminate the risk of explosion, pollution or diversion

In order to achieve a 98 99 level of confidence it would be necessary to significantly increase the quantities of EO that would have to be tested to accept each lot from a new production run, and, it would increase the potential for rejection of production lots, production scrap rates, etc.

Despite the significant ERW problem within Iraq it is worthwhile to note the very substantial disposal efforts that have been made and that continue to be undertaken by Coalition, Iraqi and NGO EOD elements and agencies.

Among the most recent barrel bombs attacks were

The threat of unexploded mines and explosive devices

(ii) Explosives (test series 8)

Legacy Munitions Awaiting Destruction

Air delivered Cluster Munitions

The reliability testing of existing and stored munitions should be part of any preventive measure designed to reduce the likelihood of munitions, including submunitions, from becoming ERW.

With respect to submunitions, the list identifies that several types of submunitions have different humanitarian risk associated with them.

However, there are some nuances with respect to implementation of the most appropriate preventive measures for munitions, including submunitions.

The designs of which types of munitions, including sub munitions, need to be considered for improvement as possible preventive measures? In this regard, the Meetings had to identify those munitions, including submunitions, which as unexploded ordnance pose the greatest humanitarian hazard.

Artillery Rocket launched Cluster Munitions

The examination of the munitions will include all components and packaging.

6. Welcomes the commitment by States parties to continue to address the humanitarian problems caused by certain specific types of munitions in all their aspects, including cluster munitions, with a view to minimizing the humanitarian impact of these munitions

Ground launched munitions can be divided into a further 2 categories tube artillery launched and rocket launched.

It is difficult to know how much ammunition remains in circulation in Liberia because figures are available only for how much was destroyed (6,486,136 pieces of small arms ammunition and 33,604 pieces of unexploded ordnance), and no complete figures are available for how much was delivered.

Legal and humanitarian concerns about cluster munitions

Working Group on Explosive Remnants of War

(v) Aerial delivered Bombs Sub munitions,

(ii) In theatre management of stockpiles to ensure ongoing monitoring of munition quality, particularly when in long term stockpiles and to ensure the introduction of ammunition into theatre is controlled so as to minimize the residual amounts of unused ammunition post conflict

The UK has both air delivered and ground launched cluster munitions, which can serve as examples of how cluster munitions are used.

In particular, multi fuze submunitions seem to pose a much lower humanitarian risk than submunitions with single fuze or mortar rounds.

The mines are stripped of their explosive contents in workshops in Bulahaawo.