DEFENCE PURCHASES NEW ANTI-TANK ARTILLERY ROUND
The
Department of Defence has finalised the acquisition of a new anti-tank
artillery round.
This new artillery round will ensure that ADF troops can be
protected against attack from modern armoured vehicles. It replaces an
existing but obsolescent capability, the Copperhead laser-guided 155mm
artillery shell, which is at the end of its service life.
The
‘SMArt 155’ artillery round is a sensor-fused precision munition that has been
developed by the German firm, Gesellschaft für Intelligente Wirksysteme mbH
(GIWS) for use against tanks and other armoured vehicles in all weather and
terrain environments. Each SMArt 155
artillery shell delivers two sensor-fused projectiles.
The SMArt 155’s capacity for autonomous target detection makes it very
accurate against specific targets. It
uses a range of sensors to detect a target and is designed to be effective
against heavily armoured vehicles rather than personnel. As a result, it poses little risk to
non-combatant civilians.
Independent, reliable and redundant self-destruction mechanisms are
incorporated into the SMArt 155. If a
target is not detected, the SMArt 155 has redundant mechanisms that will cause
it to self-destruct, thus eliminating the threat to civilians from explosive
remnants of war. In the unlikely event of the
redundant self-destruct mechanisms not functioning as intended, a self
neutralisation mechanism will render the projectile inert.
The acquisition of SMArt 155 is consistent with Australia’s obligations
under international humanitarian law, and takes into account the Government’s
commitment to avoid humanitarian hazards.
The cost of acquisition is approximately A$14m. The items being acquired include the SMArt155
projectile and the associated propelling charge, fuze, and inductive fuze
setter. Delivery is expected to commence
in late 2007.
The
SMArt 155 represents an important capability for Defence, and its acquisition
is in keeping with the Government’s goal of maintaining a modern,
technologically advanced Defence Force.
There is more
information contained the Q&A and Fact Sheet, located
here: http://www.defence.gov.au/media/index.cfm
Media contact: Defence Media
Liaison (02) 6265 3343 or (0408) 498 664
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Q&A – SMArt 155
Isn’t this a cluster
munition?
In our view, the
SMArt 155 is not a “cluster munition” like those that have attracted recent
international and domestic concern.
Australia
supports a ban on
cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. These cluster
munitions are inaccurate and indiscriminate, and usually include a large number
of small, low-yield, “dumb” bomblets.
Such cluster munitions, by virtue of their unreliability, also have the
potential to create a major problem as an explosive
remnant of war.
The SMArt 155 is fundamentally different. It is highly sophisticated, discriminating,
accurate and reliable, and takes advantage of a range of technologies and
design features which help to minimise any potential impact on civilians. Unlike cluster munitions of humanitarian
concern, which can have hundreds of sub-munitions, the SMArt 155 comprises only
two projectiles.
The SMArt 155 is
designed to be effective against heavily armoured vehicles rather than
personnel.
Doesn’t this breach
Australia
’s obligations under
international humanitarian law?
The SMArt 155
acquisition is consistent with
Australia
’s
obligations under international humanitarian law, and takes into account the
Government’s commitment to avoid humanitarian hazards.
There is more information
contained the Fact Sheet, located here: http://www.defence.gov.au/media/index.cfm
What is the Australian
Government’s policy on the acquisition of weapons such as cluster munitions?
In the study, development, acquisition or adoption of any new weapon, Australia is obliged to determine whether that weapon’s
employment would, in some or all circumstances, be prohibited by the 1977 Additional
Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, Relating to the
Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I); or by any
other rule of international law applicable to Australia.
Defence has reviewed the SMArt 155 and is
satisfied that if used in accordance with current ADF
targeting rules, its use will be consistent with
Australia
's international legal
obligations.
What proof do you have to support
the claims of the manufacturer?
Testing undertaken in
Germany
and elsewhere indicates that the SMArt 155 is a very reliable and accurate
system.
Defence is obliged by internal regulatory
policy to assure the reliability and performance of all materiel, including
munitions.
Defence has a robust framework for
management of the technical integrity of munitions during acquisition,
introduction to service and through life use.
Has this munition ever been used
on operations?
The ADF has not used this munition on operations – we are still in the
acquisition process.
Other countries, including
Switzerland
,
Germany
,
the
USA
, and
Greece
,
have also acquired, or are in the process of acquiring, the SMArt 155 system.
Whether or not those
nations have used the SMArt 155 system on operations is a matter for them.
What obligations
does the ADF have to ‘clean up’ after operations where munitions such as the
SMArt 155 are used?
If, as a result of ADF action during an armed
conflict, explosive remnants of war do result,
Australia
has particular
obligations under Protocol V of the CCW to minimise the risk they pose to
civilian populations.
A Party to Protocol V is obliged to mark,
clear, remove or destroy explosive remnants of war such as unexploded and
abandoned ordnance present in territory under its control.
If a Party does not exercise control over the
territory where it has used munitions which have subsequently become Explosive
Remnants of War, after the cessation of active hostilities it is obliged to
provide, where feasible, information to the Party who does exercise effective
control of that territory to facilitate post conflict clearance.
A Party is also
obliged, to the maximum extent possible and as far as practicable, to record
and retain information on the use of explosive ordnance or abandonment of
explosive ordnance. This is in order to
facilitate the rapid marking and clearance, removal or destruction of explosive
remnants of war, risk education and the provision of relevant information to the
party in control of the affected territory and to civilian populations in the affected
territory.
FACT SHEET
Considerations in
the Selection of SMArt 155 Artillery Round
The
SMArt 155 artillery round is a sensor-fused precision munition for use against
tanks and other armoured vehicles, developed by the German firm, GIWS. It is highly
sophisticated and takes advantage of a range of technologies and design
features which help to minimise any potential impact on civilians.
The SMArt 155 artillery
shell is composed of two sensor-fused, precision projectiles.
-
Each projectile has a targeting system which enables
it to be precisely directed against armoured vehicles.
-
Each projectile has independent and reliable
self-destruction and self-neutralisation capabilities, substantially decreasing
the potential for the ordnance to become an explosive remnant of war.
Defence takes into account a number of technical, legal, operational and
other considerations when acquiring any new weapon.
Firstly,
Australia
is obliged to determine whether that weapon’s employment would, in
some or all circumstances, be prohibited by the 1977 Additional Protocol I to
the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 Relating to the Protection of Victims
of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I) or by any other rule of
international law applicable to
Australia
.
-
Defence has reviewed the SMArt 155 and is satisfied that if used in accordance with current ADF targeting rules, its use will be
consistent with
Australia
's
international legal obligations.
Second, Defence is obliged by internal
regulatory policy to assure the reliability and performance of all materiel,
including munitions. Defence has a
robust framework for management of the technical integrity of munitions during
acquisition, introduction to service and through life use.
Prior to introduction into service, a munition must be certified for
use by the ADF. This certification is
based on a detailed specification which sets out all technical requirements to
be delivered from the munition supplier.
Evidence to support certification is provided by a range of sources
including some or all of:
-
The original manufacturer
(often supported by data from the Government of the source nation);
-
Foreign assessment agencies
(such as NATO);
-
Where available, service
history from ADF or foreign use of the munition;
-
ADF testing (based on trials
conducted by ADF agencies).
The SMArt 155 met or exceeded all technical
requirements and strong supporting evidence was provided from a range of
reliable sources including the German and US governments. The item underwent testing to reliability and
performance specifications stated in NATO
Standardisation Agreements, Allied Quality Assurance Publications, Allied
Ordnance Publications, and Allied Environmental and Test Publications.
Once accepted into service, Defence conducts
rigorous through-life monitoring to ensure that the performance, reliability
and safety of the munitions are maintained while “in-service”. Defence has a strong interest in ensuring
that to the extent possible, its munitions continue to meet their technical
standards until they are used or removed from service.
Third, as mentioned, the employment of the SMArt
155 against a legitimate military objective is governed by the
principles of International Humanitarian Law, including distinction and
proportionality. These principles
require a party to a conflict to distinguish at all times between civilian and
military objectives; and to not launch any attack which may be expected to
cause incidental loss of life, injury to civilians, damage to civilian objects,
or a combination thereof, or which would be excessive in relation to the
concrete and direct military advantage anticipated by such an attack. ADF personnel are trained in the laws of
armed conflict, which form an integral part of ADF targeting decisions.
Finally, if, as a result of ADF action during
an armed conflict, explosive remnants of war do result,
Australia
has particular obligations under Protocol V of the CCW to minimise the risk
they pose to civilian populations. A
Party to Protocol V is obliged to mark, clear, remove or destroy explosive remnants
of war such as unexploded and abandoned ordnance present in territory under its
control. A
Party is also obliged, to the maximum extent possible and as far as
practicable, to record and retain information on the use of explosive ordnance
or abandonment of explosive ordnance.
This is in order to facilitate the rapid marking and clearance, removal
or destruction of explosive remnants of war, risk education and the provision
of relevant information to the party in control of the affected territory and
to civilian populations in the affected territory.
