HC Deb 25 October 1993 vol 230 cc484-6W
Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the types of(a) weapon and (b) ammunition which are authorised for firing by British Army units on each of the firing ranges of the Bergen-Hohne ranges.

Mr. Hanley

The following types of weapon and ammunition are authorised for firing on each of the Bergen-Hohne ranges:

Range Equipment Ammunition Remarks
8C 30mm APDS Stops Range 9
9 120mm All types No HESH
10 30mm APDS Stops Range 9
10A
10B Anti Tank Practice only Limited use
10C Anti Tank Live Limited use
11 120mm Reduced use
11A Hand Grenade Limited use
11B Rifle Range 7.62mm 5.56mm
11C
12 120mm No HESH
No night fire
13 Demolitions PE4 ANFO Max 30 Kgs
Anti tank mine
19 120mm APFSDS Limited use
20 120mm MLRS No HESH
21 120mm Not used
22 7.62mm ETR

HESH —High Explosive Squish Head.

APDS —Armour Piercing Discarded Sabot.

APFSDS —Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarded Sabot.

PE4 —Plastic Explosive 4.

ANFO —Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil (plastic explosive).

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the arrangements for clearance of expended and unexploded ordnance on the Bergen-Hohne ranges.

Mr. Hanley

Clearance of expended and unexploded ordnance is the responsibility of the Bundeswehr who administer the ranges.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the types and amounts of ammunition expended by British Army units on each firing range on the Bergen-Hohne ranges in 1992.

Mr. Hanley

The types of ammunition fired by the British Army on the Bergen-Hohne training ranges are as follows:

120mm MBT ammunition

  1. a. High Explosive Squish Head
  2. b. Squish Head Practice
  3. c. Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarded Sabot
  4. d. Discarded Sabot Trace

30mm Scimitar Warrior Fox

  1. a. Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarded Sabot
  2. b. Practice
  3. c. High Explosive

Miscellaneous Ammunition

  1. a. Inert Giant Viper
  2. b. Swingfire Anti-Tank Missile Practice
  3. c. 7.62mm Ball and Trace
  4. d. 81mm illuminating mortar
  5. e. MILAN
  6. f. 3kg Aircraft bombs
  7. g. MLRS
  8. h. TOW

Details of the actual quantities expended could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide figures showing the extent of use made by British Army units of the Bergen-Hohne ranges in each year since 1985.

Mr. Hanley

British Army units have made use of the Bergen-Hohne ranges as follows since 1985:

Year Weeks
1985 8
1986 8
1987 4
1988 12
1989 9
1990 9
1991 10
1992 5
1993 110
1 Planned

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