HC Deb 18 May 1999 vol 331 cc301-2W
Mr. Frank Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral answer of 10 May 1999,Official Report, column 11, on weapons systems equipment, what type of targets are selected for the specific use by the RAF of the RBL 755 cluster bomb; and how many have been used in Kosovo to date. [84350]

Mr. George Robertson

Up to 16 May, a total of 423 RBL 755 bombs had been dropped by the RAF in support of Operation Allied Force. This weapon is particularly effective against Serb forces deployed in the field in Kosovo, and targets have included main battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers, other military vehicles, artillery, field headquarters and troop concentrations. It is not designed to be used as a runway cratering weapon, and has not been used to attack runways; nor is it designed to impede damage repair.