Siting

The ammunition storage area has been designed in a rough oval, leading to the headwalls of most of the ESH facing each other. This will greatly reduce the permitted NEQ in HD 1.1 and 1.2 unless remedial action is taken. To allow the depot to reach its full potential the headwalls should be strengthened, the doors and windows replaced and a traverse built in front of the headwall.

3.3 Ammunition Stocks

x General Many of the ESH carry large quantities of HD 1.1, comprising mostly anti-tank mines. The majority of the ammunition is of Yugoslav or Russian origin and dates from the last 20 years. Unserviceable ammunition is stored in the open next to the headwall of the ESH. This ammunition is suffering considerable deterioration. Large amounts of ammunition inside the ESH is not in its original packaging, in addition much of the packaging is damaged.

x Storage There is little attention to the basic rules of ammunition storage or accounting. There are no stack cards within the ESH. There appears to be no appreciation of the special storage requirements of ammunition containing WP and there are numerous infringements of the rules governing the mixing of Compatibility Groups, most seriously the mixing of unboxed detonators with HE stores.

4 SUMMARY

Kula 1 has the potential to be a safe and effective ammunition storage site, however the remedial action to the headwalls is vital to allow the storage of significant quantities of the higher hazard divisions. The current standard of safety in storage is low and without proper training for the site staff and a programme of inspections by technically qualified persons, is not likely to improve.

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ASSESSMENT OF AMMUNITION STORAGE SITE WV 261 KULA 2 1 INTRODUCTION

WV 261 is an ammunition storage site located approximately 5Km from Mrkonjic Grad within a complex that also includes Kula 1. The ammunition storage buildings within the explosives area were built by the Yugoslavian Army in the 1950s and consist of 22 earth covered igloo type buildings.

2 SECURITY 2.1 Existing Measures

x Perimeter fence. The perimeter fence is complete, but insufficiently robust. There are not believed to be any mines within the area of the ammunition storage. There is only one gate on the route to both Kula 1 and Kula 2, which is permanently manned. Each storage site has it is own entrance; the gate to Kula 2 is not permanently guarded. The fence has sensors fitted but the system is not operational.

x Electronic Security. There are no alarms on the ESHs or the perimeter.

There is no lighting within the ammunition storage area. There is a CCTV system within the depot, which has not been commissioned.

x Guard force The guard force has been drastically reduced recently and is comprised of junior soldiers. It is unlikely that this small force of young and inexperienced soldiers is capable of providing effective security.

x Security of weapons. The padlock securing the weapons is not high security. Control of access to the weapon storage area is good.

x ESH security. The ESH are secured by low quality padlocks and wire seals. In addition to this many of the windows are broken, with security bars missing or loose. The ventilation shafts are also insecure.

2.2 Recommended Improvements

x The perimeter fence is effective, but in view if the decreased guard force, requires reinforcement. The sensor system should be reactivated.

x A lighting system should be installed in the explosives compound.

x The ESHs require an alarm system x The locks to the ESH should be replaced 3 AMMUNITION STORAGE CONDITIONS 3.1 Igloos

The Igloos are in a reasonable state of repair, however there is evidence that water leaks in from beneath the doors. The doors are not of NATO standard.

The headwalls have glass windows, which reduce their structural integrity.

3.2 Siting

The ammunition storage area has been designed in a rough oval, leading to the headwalls of most of the ESH facing each other. The distance between the ESH is, however, greater than that at Kula 1. This will greatly reduce the permitted NEQ in HD 1.1 and 1.2 unless remedial action is taken. To allow the depot to reach its full potential the headwalls should be strengthened, the doors and windows replaced and a traverse built in front of the headwall.

3.3 Ammunition Stocks

x General Many of the ESH carry large quantities of HD 1.1, comprising mostly anti-tank mines. The majority of the ammunition is of Yugoslav or Russian origin and dates from the last 20 years.

Unserviceable ammunition is stored in the open next to the headwall of the ESH. This ammunition is suffering considerable deterioration.

Large amounts of ammunition inside the ESH is not in its original packaging, in addition much of the packaging is damaged.

x Storage Attempts have been made to apply the basic rules of ammunition storage or accounting, however there appears to be no appreciation of the special storage requirements of ammunition containing WP and there are numerous infringements of the rules governing the mixing of compatibility groups, most seriously the mixing of unboxed detonators with HE stores. There are large amounts of extraneous items within the ESH, including piles of wood and in ESH 4, a car. These items will increase the risk of fire.

4 SUMMARY

Kula 2 has the potential to be a safe and effective ammunition storage site, however the remedial action to the headwalls is vital to allow the storage of significant quantities of the higher hazard divisions. The current standard of safety in storage is low, and without proper training for the site staff and a programme of inspections by technically qualified persons, is not likely to improve.

ASSESSMENT OF AMMUNITION STORAGE SITE WB 053 GREBEZ 1 INTRODUCTION

WB 053 is an ammunition storage site located approximately 10 Km from Bihac. The ammunition storage buildings within the explosives area were built by the Yugoslavian Army in the 1950s and consist of 6 freestanding brick built ESH.