Demilitarization of ammunition and weapons - William Hunt Associates (Consultants)

Demilitarization

Member of the Institute of Explosive Engineers

Effective demilitarization of ammunition and weapons.

William Hunt briefs Bodo Hombach, Head of the Stability Pact for South East Europe, in Albania.

Demilitarization Threat Resolution Ltd

Demil (demilitarization) is the process of the destruction of surplus or surrendered ammunition and weapons. Demil is a major challenge to most countries in a post cold-war and post conflict countries. Experience has successfully proved that demil solutions do not always require industrial facilities and that local, improvised techniques are often equally safe and effective and can also offer economic and socio-economic advantages.

Listed below are some examples of key capabilities and service offered in the demilitarization field of expertise:

Stockpile destruction

Stockpile destruction planning requires a appraisal of a number of key matters including the technical make-up of the ammunition or weapons, resource limitations and logistics planning. Additionally the applicability and availability of proven and leading edge technologies need to be examined and assessed before recommendations can be made. WHA's experience illustrates that effective demilitarization solutions can range from field expedient method (open burning and open detonation) to process based solutions such as conventional or plasma-arc incineration.

Ottawa Treaty - Anti personnel mines

Article 4 of the Ottawa Treaty obliges nations which have ratified to complete stockpile destruction within 4 years. This is often a challenge to economically disadvantaged countries or those which have suffered recent turmoil or are emerging from a communist regime. The consultant's demilitarisation experience provides evidence that these challenges can be met by detailed research the results of which can be developed into an safe, economic demil solution.

Weapons destruction

The dismantling and destruction (demil) of weapons systems which range from small arms and light weapons to field artillery and guided weapons systems requires detailed analysis and planning to ensure transparency and accountability. Additional factors such as the value of recyclable materials also requires consideration in forecasting demilitarization project costs.