Exploding ammunition

Exploding ammunition or spiked ammunition is an ammunition and other ordnance that is sabotaged (explosive replaced) and left behind for enemy forces, generally insurgents, to find and use. It is designed to explode and destroy the weapon it is used in and perhaps injure or kill the person attempting to fire the weapon. In addition to explosive cartridges used in small arms, exploding ammunition can include rocket-propelled grenades or mortar shells.[1]

Not to be confused with armor-piercing ammunition.

Historical use

Exploding ammunition was used by both Allied and German forces during World War II, by Iraq, and Afghanistan; possibly by the Soviet Union in Afghanistan as well.

Vietnam war
Main article: Vietnam War

Exploding ammunitions were used by the United States in Vietnam (Project Eldest Son).[2]

Syrian civil war

In 2013 it was reportedly used by Bashar al-Assad led Syrian government forces during the Syrian civil war in order to target Free Syrian Army fighters in the eastern district of Damascus.[1][3][4] The bullets explosive was replaced by a more potent primary explosive. Not every round was repurposed however.[4]

Distribution

In addition to sale through black market channels, exploding ammunition may be distributed to enemy forces by being "lost" during transport, or on the battlefield where it may be left behind after a retreat. If the opportunity presents itself, exploding ammunition may be switched with ammunition stocks of the enemy or even the cartridges in the weapons of dead enemies.[1]

Effectiveness

Exploding ammunition, if used by enemy forces, is demoralizing, produces casualties, and destroys enemy weapons. However, it is quite likely that, once introduced into a theater of war, it will end up injuring friendly forces or even forces of the government which introduced it. Using a small charge which only jams the weapon is sometimes done when the chance that the spiked ammunition may fall into friendly hands is high, for example, when a case of ammunition is "lost" by appearing to have fallen from the back of a truck.[1]

See also

Notes
  1. C. J. Chivers (October 19, 2012). "Syrians Place Booby-Trapped Ammunition in Rebels' Guns". The New York Times. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  2. Rottman, Gordon L. (2020). Grunt slang in Vietnam : words of the war. Havertown, PA. ISBN 978-1-5040-6170-4. OCLC 1138572058.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. Ingersoll, Geoffrey. "'Spiked Ammo' Is One Of Assad's Dirtier Tricks In Syria's Civil War". Business Insider. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
  4. "Exploding Bullets Target FSA Fighters". Syria. 26 September 2013. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
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