Exploding ammunition

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Exploding ammunition or spiked ammunition is an

Exploding ammunition was used by both Allied and German forces during World War II, by Iraq, and Afghanistan; possibly by the Soviet Union in Afghanistan as well.

Vietnam war

Exploding ammunitions were used by the United States in Vietnam (Project Eldest Son).^[2]

Syrian civil war

In 2013 it was reportedly used by

In addition to sale through black market channels, exploding ammunition may be distributed to enemy forces by being "lost" during transport, or on the battlefield where it may be left behind after a retreat. If the opportunity presents itself, exploding ammunition may be switched with ammunition stocks of the enemy or even the cartridges in the weapons of dead enemies.[1]

Effectiveness

Exploding ammunition, if used by enemy forces, is demoralizing, produces casualties, and destroys enemy weapons. However, it is quite likely that, once introduced into a theater of war, it will end up injuring friendly forces or even forces of the government which introduced it. Using a small charge which only jams the weapon is sometimes done when the chance that the spiked ammunition may fall into friendly hands is high, for example, when a case of ammunition is "lost" by appearing to have fallen from the back of a truck.^[1]

See also

• Expanding bullet
• Explosive weapon

Notes