Explosives and Ammunition Disposal Technologies and Use of the Defence Sector Capabilities and Private Companies

Zbyšek Korecki

University of Defence, Brno, Czech Republic, zbysek.korecki@unob.cz

Nataša Pomazalová

University of Defence, Brno, Czech Republic, natasa.pomazalova@unob.cz

Abstract: The Czech Republic (CR) had got significant security and safety risk posed by the presence of stockpiles of conventional ammunition and explosives after „the Velvet revolution 1989“ and also many constrains due to new national security requirements and permanently decrease allocated CR defence budget. Therefore the destruction of these stockpiles should be considered as a significant new weapon systems implementation measure as well as Armed Forces of the Czech Republic ability to be coherent partner in international military mission. From the perspective of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), the UN definition includes weapons and related ammunition natures till 100 mm caliber and below and above 100 mm. Due to similar processes, the destruction factors and issues surrounding the destruction of full range of calibers are similar and both relate risks and hazards. Nowadays, the demilitarization and destruction of ammunition in the Czech Republic defence sector has been based on a wide range of factors. The stockpiles stored within the Czech Republic as a legacy of the Cold War probably present the largest challenge, but the impact of the community level are also a global issue. This paper will illustrate the Czech Republic MoD approach to Ammunitions and Explosives storage and identify progress and suggest future priorities in the case of public procurement and comparison of the defence sector capabilities. The safety of Ammunitions and Explosives is of fundamental importance to the military user and to the society. Experience has shown Czech Republic defence sector to achieve the ‘NATO standards’ of ammunition storage infrastructure without substantial capital investment. The Armed Forces of Czech republic has 8 objects of storage of weapons and ammunition, military equipment and property, and other logistical facilities, a large number of them will break up over the coming years. From 2004 Ammunition base (AB) destroyed approximately 46 900 tons of all ammunition types.  Aiming to create capacities for destruction, from affectivity and efficiency point of view, other older and unexploitable ammunition surplus, and in accordance with the international security standards and environmental requirements, ACR will focus its resources in the advancement of the existing capacities for this purpose within the Ammunition base.