Belgium kills cluster bomb

Belgium is to destroy its stockpile of cluster bombs, and will now use only precision munitions.

Cluster weapons are controversial because of the risk of unexploded ordnance posing a danger to civilians, and the clear-up task required after conflicts, such as NATO's 1999 war against Yugoslavia and current operations in Afghanistan.

Around 760 BL755 cluster bombs stored at Bertrix in southern Belgium will be destroyed by 2003. Belgium has laser-guided bombs and RaytheonAGM-65GMaverick air-to-surface missiles.

Source: Flight International