Type of Cluster Bomb
What is the type of cluster bomb?
A cluster bomb is a type of bomb that contains multiple explosives or bombs.
How many small bombs can cary a canister of cluster bomb?
A canister of cluster bombs can carry anywhere from ten to hundreds of small bombs.
How a Canisters of cluster bombs can be fired?
Canisters can be fired from aircraft, artillery, naval guns or rocket launchers. Depending on the target, the canisters open at a certain height. After that, the bombs inside are scattered in certain areas. Timers are used in detonating bombs to detonate near or on the ground.
United States is going to give the cluster bomb to Ukraine
Ignoring Russia's threat, the United States is finally going to give the controversial cluster bomb to Ukraine. The Biden administration has come under fire after Washington announced that it was supplying the Ukrainian forces with these bombs to fight Russian forces, including running out of ammunition. The United Nations strongly opposed such a decision of Washington.
Whether Cluster Bombs will be used in Russia or not, What says Ukraine
Since the beginning of the war, the Western world, including the United States, has been providing military support one after another to resist Russia. In addition to US Abrams tank, Germany's Leopard 2, various types of bombs, warplanes as well as modern weapons are being given to Ukraine. However, over everything, the announcement of the United States' supply of cluster bombs to Ukraine has suddenly raised many questions. Discussion-criticism has started about why this bomb is being given to Ukraine.
Ability of Cluster Bomb
Originally banned cluster bombs, these clusters are capable of carrying tens to hundreds of small bombs. It can be fired from artillery, naval guns or rocket launchers or even from missiles. Immediately after launch, the bombs inside spread to certain areas. Timers are also used to detonate bombs close to the ground at the same time.
Another source of controversy for the cluster bomb is its ability to hit multiple targets simultaneously after launch. In addition to the soldiers, the civilians faced serious losses. Besides, sometimes 10 to 40 percent of the bombs remain intact after being dropped. Which can explode decades after being thrown. In this, many lives are likely to be lost.
According to the US Army website, the United States has a stockpile of cluster bombs known as DPICM (dual-purpose improved conventional munition). The clusters that Washington is supplying to Kyiv contain 88 bombs in each canister. Depending on the height of the drop, the bomb can destroy up to 30,000 square meters of area.
Some uses of Cluster Bomb
Cluster munitions have been used in more than three dozen conflicts since World War II. The US last used these weapons in Iraq from 2003 to 2006. However, Russia is believed to have the largest stockpile of cluster bombs than the United States.
Countries banned Cluster Bombs
Most of the countries of the world have banned the use of this weapon as it is very dangerous. The Convention on Cluster Munitions prohibits the stockpiling, production and even transfer. 123 countries joined that convention. However, 71 countries of the world, including the United States, Ukraine, and Russia, did not join it.
This weapon was banned by the Convention on Cluster Munitions in 2008 due to mass destruction. At this time, 107 countries, including the European Union, signed the agreement on banning cluster bombs. However, several countries have not signed this agreement so far. Among them are the United States, Russia, China, Israel, India, Pakistan and Brazil. Basically these countries have most of the cluster bombs.
Ukraine has been asking the United States for Cluster Bombs
Ukraine has been asking the United States for this bomb since the beginning of the Russian military operation in February last year. After more than a year, the US decided to deliver cluster bombs. Regarding the delivery of these bombs to Kyiv, the White House said, "Unexploded bombs could cause harm to ordinary people" - the supply of cluster bombs to Ukraine was held back for a long time.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said at a White House briefing on Friday (July 7) that Ukraine has made a commitment to minimize potential civilian casualties. Besides, Russia is also using cluster bombs in war. So whether the US gives these weapons to Kyiv or not, the issue of damage will be important.
Jake Sullivan also said that Ukraine has promised not to use these weapons on the territory of other countries. The Ukrainian army will use it only to carry out counter-operations on its own borders.
The cluster bombs that the United States now has in stockpiles to give to Ukraine date back to World War II. According to Washington, Russia has more stockpile of cluster bombs than them.