Defence Forces insist self-destruct mechanism of cluster weapons works well

Norwegian report: Finnish military uses unreliable cluster bombs

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A recent Norwegian-commissioned report claims that a cluster weapon used by the Finnish Defence Forces can leave up to ten times more unexploded bomblets in the target area than the manufacturer claims.
      According to the study, one in ten bomblets contained in each shell could remain unexploded after the initial impact, posing a long-term deadly hazard. Unexploded ordnance from the controversial weapons are a constant threat to civilians in many countries.
      The report is crucial, because two sets of negotiations are going on aimed at banning the use of cluster weapons.
      Finland opposes a total ban because the Defence Forces feel that cluster weapons are needed to replace the infantry land mines that are being phased out. Norway has decided to get rid of its cluster weapons.
     
The study focused on how many M85 model bomblets were left unexploded in real conditions - not in test firing. The model is considered to have the most reliable self-destruct mechanism in the world.
      Nevertheless, the Norwegians reported that about ten per cent of the bomblets from shells used in Lebanon in 2006 were left unexploded in the terrain - which is ten times the amount claimed by the manufacturer. According to the report, Finland also uses M85 weapons.
      Colonel Aki Sihvonen, inspector for Finnish artillery, says that the shells used by Finland are the model DM1385, which is similar in structure to the M85, which was the focus of the Norwegian study. Sihvonen says that the type used by Finland is ten years newer, and has a better self-destruct mechanism.
     
"The entire production line of the whole self-destruct mechanism was improved, and the quality control of the model is at a completely different level", Sihvonen says.
      Finnish artillery has so-called cargo shells in its arsenal. The cargo shells are containers filled with small bomblets, which are scattered in the target area when the cargo shell opens at the end of its trajectory.
      The cargo shells used by the Finnish artillery are mainly manufactured in Germany, and the bomblets are made in Israel. Test firing of the cluster weapons used by Finland was conducted in Israel. Sihvonen says that the type used by Finland meets the requirements of the Defence Forces.
      "It is calculated that out of 1,000 bomblets only one will be a hazardous dud", Sihvonen says.
      According to the Norwegian report, the self-destruct mechanism of the M85 model did not operate as had been expected, even though conditions were good in Lebanon, and the terrain was hard. The report suggests that the bomblets are even less likely to explode in soft forest terrain.
     
"We would not use cluster weapons if there is snow on the ground, for instance, unless it is absolutely necessary", Colonel Sihvonen emphasised. "Cluster weapons would be used in Finland only in national defence, and they would only be fired into areas from which the civilian population has been evacuated."
      Sihvonen says that parts of the Norwegian report are vague, such as the real number of shells fired. He would be against banning the use of the DM1385 model on the basis of the report.
      The study was conducted by a British company specialised in mine clearance, the research unit of the Norwegian Defence Forces, and the Norwegian People's Aid organisation. It was published in early December.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish cluster weapon purchases raise criticism among NGOs meeting in Peru (24.5.2007)
  Cluster shell acquired by Finland banned in Norway (9.3.2007)
  Peace Union campaigner insists Finland must take responsibility in cluster munitions talks (6.11.2007)
  Brigadier General Räty: Finland will not get cluster bombs that linger in terrain (23.2.2007)
  Seven questions about cluster weapons (5.6.2007)

Links:
  Norwegian People´s Aid: New report: M85 - higher failure rate (Dec. 6. 2007)
  Norwegian People´s Aid: M85 presentation

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