The United Kingdom used to be a major producer and stockpiler of cluster munitions. In the past, the UK has used cluster munitions in the Falkland Islands/Malvinas (1982), Iraq and Kuwait (1991), the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia including Kosovo (1999) and Iraq (2003). It produced, exported and imported the weapon, and amassed a significant stockpile. Signalling a significant policy change, the British government showed support for the draft text of the Convention during final negotiations in Dublin in May 2008.
The United Kingdom signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 3 December 2008 and ratified it on 4 May 2010 agreeing to destroy its stockpiles by August 2018. Along with Germany and the Netherlands, the UK is in the process of destroying stockpiles, which together represent more than 115 million submunitions.
- The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary David Miliband signs the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 3 December 2008. Photo Credit: Gunnar Mjaugedal/catchlight.no
At the First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Vientiane, Laos in November 2010, the UK reiterated its publicly stated commitment to work for a global ban on cluster munitions, and confirmed that it is on track to destroy its cluster munition stockpiles by 2013, five years ahead of its deadline. To date, 46%, or close to 18 million out of its total stockpile of 38 million submunitions have been destroyed.
The UK declared that this represents a dedicated effort to meet its obligation to destroy its stockpile as quickly as possible. Furthermore, the UK stated that as there are no facilities for destruction in the UK, it has contracted the destruction overseas and despite the complications and expense involved, is determined to fulfill its obligations.
Having previously indicated that it considers transit and foreign stockpiling of cluster munitions to be prohibited under the convention, the UK also confirmed that there are now no foreign stockpiles of cluster munitions in the UK or on any of its territories.
Find out about UK legislation [pdf] on cluster munitions.
