THERMOBARIC WEAPONS

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Context:

Russia's use of the ODAB-1500 thermobaric bomb in Ukraine highlights a global trend in investing in this devastating warfare technology.

What is a thermobaric weapon?

A thermobaric weapon, also called an aerosol bomb, or a vacuum bomb, is a type of explosive munition that works by dispersing an aerosol cloud of gas, liquid or powdered explosive.

How does a thermobaric bomb work?

A thermobaric bomb (also called a vacuum or aerosol bomb - or fuel air explosive) consists of a fuel container with two separate explosive charges.

This can be launched as a rocket or dropped as a bomb from aircraft. When it hits its target, the first explosive charge opens the container and widely scatters fuel mixture as a cloud.

This cloud can penetrate any building openings or defences that are not totally sealed.

A second charge then detonates the cloud, resulting in a huge fireball, a massive blast wave and a vacuum which sucks up all surrounding oxygen. The weapon can destroy reinforced buildings, equipment and kill or injure people.

They are used for a variety of purposes and come in a range of sizes - including weapons for use by individual soldiers such as grenades and hand-held rocket launchers.

Huge air-launched versions have also been designed, specifically to kill defenders in caves and tunnel complexes - the effects of this weapon are at their most severe in enclosed spaces.

Developments

Thermobaric munitions can be traced back to World War II, when they were initially used by the German army. They were not widely developed until the 1960s, when the US used them in Vietnam.

The US also used them in Afghanistan. First, in 2001 to try to destroy al-Qaeda forces hiding in the caves of the Tora Bora mountains, and in 2017, against Islamic State forces.

In 2003, the US tested a 9,800kg bomb, nicknamed the "Mother of all bombs". Four years later, Russia developed a similar device, the Father of all bombs". This created an explosion equivalent to a 44-tonne conventional bomb - making it the biggest non-nuclear explosive device in the world.

Soviet Union began developing thermobaric bombs and rocket systems in the late 20th century, with notable examples like the TOS-1 multiple rocket launcher system and ODAB-series bombs.

 Russia’s TOS-1, mounted on a tank platform, has become one of the most recognizable thermobaric systems. It was used during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and later saw action in Chechnya. Russian-made thermobaric weapons were reportedly used in the Syrian civil war by the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

India and Brazil are also among the countries that have developed thermobaric weapons. South Korea and Serbia have also reportedly developed thermobaric systems.

What are the rules of war for thermobaric bombs?

There are no international laws specifically banning their use, but if a country uses them to target civilian populations in built-up areas, schools or hospitals, then it could be convicted of a war crime under the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907.

In 1980, an effort was made to ban thermobaric weapons under the United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, but it failed to gain sufficient support.

Critics argue that thermobaric bombs should be classified as weapons of mass destruction, especially when used in populated areas.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60571395