Thermobaric Bombs and Cluster Bombs

Why in news?

• Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accused Russia of using cluster bombs and thermobaric bombs (or vacuum bombs) in the ongoing war.

About thermobaric bombs:

• These are called vacuum bombs as they suck in oxygen from surrounding areas to generate high-voltage explosions.
• The blast wave is of a greater intensity and duration than conventional bombs and can vapourise humans.
• This is not the first time the bombs have been deployed. Reports suggest that they were used by the Soviet Union against China in 1969; the US used them to target Al-Qaeda; Russia also used them during the Chechen war.

How do they work?

• The thermobaric weapon, also known as an aerosol bomb or fuel air explosive, is a two-stage munition.
• The first-stage charge distributes an aerosol made up of very fine material – from a carbon-based fuel to tiny metal particles. A second charge ignites that cloud, creating a fireball, a huge shock wave, and a vacuum as it sucks up all surrounding oxygen.
• The blast wave can last for significantly longer than a conventional explosive and is capable of vaporising human bodies.

About Cluster bombs:

• Cluster munitions are non-precision weapons that are designed to injure or kill human beings indiscriminately over a large area, and to destroy vehicles and infrastructure such as runways, railway or power transmission lines.
• Cluster bombs operate by breaking into smaller bombs once they are launched
• Very often cluster bombs do not detonate once they land and become landmines — prolonging conflict, misery and injury. Estimates say 10 to 40 per cent cluster bombs fail to detonate once they make an impact on the ground.
• The unexploded cluster bombs also pose major long-term environmental damages, as their chemicals can severely contaminate ground water and soil compositions.
• According to the Red Cross, 87 countries have stockpiles of cluster bombs, of which 16 have used them during armed conflict.

Is it legal to use these weapons?

• Cluster weaponry has been banned by the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions; however, neither Ukraine nor Russia were signatories at the convention.
• Convention on Cluster Munitions, 2008:
  • It is an international treaty that prohibits all use, transfer, production, and stockpiling of cluster bombs.
  • The Convention establishes a framework to support victim assistance, clearance of contaminated sites, risk reduction education, and stockpile destruction
  • As of July 2021, there are 110 States Parties to the Convention.
  • India, China, U.S, Russia etc are not party to the convention.
• Vacuum bombs are not prohibited by any international law or agreement, but their use against civilian populations in built-up areas, schools or hospitals could attract action under the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements:

1. India is a signatory of Convention on Cluster Munitions, 2008

2. Vacuum bombs are not prohibited by any international law or agreement

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer