Contaminated by: Unexploded ordnance and suspected cluster munition remnants in former military training areas.

Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 4 deadline: 1 August 2020
(Unclear whether on track to meet deadline)

The Federal Republic of Germany has 11km² of area suspected to contain cluster munition remnants at a former Soviet military training area at Wittstock, Brandenburg, in former East Germany. After a delay since 2012, in September 2015, Germany reported having carried out extensive non-technical and technical survey.[1] During preparation of the technical survey in 2015, four ShOAB-0.5 submunitions were cleared.[2] Site and “geophysical investigation” revealed strong evidence that contamination from cluster munition remnants existed only on the surface.[3] In the course of survey, 46km of roads were released from suspicion of contamination, to guarantee safe access to the area suspected to contain cluster munition remnants.

Contamination

Germany has 11km² of area suspected to contain cluster munition remnants at a former Soviet military training area at Wittstock, Brandenburg, in former East Germany. Soviet-era ShOAB-0.5 submunitions contaminating Wittstock result from testing of the weapon during 1952–1993.[4] The area is highly contaminated with various kinds of explosive ordnance, and “especially ordnance with considerable explosive power,” as well as deposited scrap metal.[5]

In its initial Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 transparency report, submitted in January 2011, Germany declared having no areas confirmed or suspected to contain cluster munition remnants.[6] In June 2011, Germany declared that the area at Wittstock was suspected to contain cluster munition remnants.[7] Germany noted that the remnants were “principally found within the confines of a target range” located at the south of the training area.[8]

From 2011 to early 2014, suspected contamination from cluster munition remnants was reported to total 4km².[9] In August 2014, however, Germany reported that the area suspected as contaminated was 11km².[10] The increased estimate of the size of the suspected hazardous area (SHA) was ascribed to the discovery of submunitions during non-technical survey across a greater area than previously reported.[11]

Program Management

In early October 2011, ownership of the Wittstock former training range was transferred from the military to the federal government authority in charge of real estate, Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben (BImA).

Beginning in 2012, BImA implemented a risk education program in collaboration with local authorities based on a “danger prevention plan.” The plan was described as a “crucial prerequisite” for further technical survey of the area.[12] The area is completely perimeter marked with warning signs, and an official directive, effective 1 July 2011, has been issued by the responsible regulatory and supervisor authority, constraining access to the area.[13] It was planned to conduct an initial survey of access routes and areas of suspected UXO contamination in neighboring locations, and, subsequently, technical survey.[14] The cost of any clearance will be covered by BImA. Once safely released, the site is due to remain part of a “nature protection area” in the Kyritz-Ruppiner-Heide, managed by BImA as part of the Europa Natura 2000 site, under the European Union Habitats Directive.[15]

Land Release

Germany stated that non-technical and technical survey have released 46km of roads from the suspicion of contamination, in order to guarantee safe access to the area suspected to contain cluster munition remnants.[16]

Survey in 2015

In September 2015, Germany reported having carried out extensive non-technical and technical survey.[17] During preparation of the technical survey in 2015, four ShOAB-0.5 submunitions were cleared.[18] Site and “geophysical investigation” revealed strong evidence that contamination from cluster munition remnants existed only on the surface.[19]

Clearance in 2015

In September 2015, Germany reported that following non-technical and technical survey, 46km of affected roads had been “cleared” in order to guarantee safe access to the area.[20] Germany did not confirm if the 46km of affected road was released by clearance, as reported, or was in fact released by survey, which seems more probable. In addition, Germany did not confirm the number and type of ERW discovered and destroyed during this process.

As at September 2015, Germany reported that it was in the process of planning the final steps to clear the area of cluster munition remnants, and was planning to commence clearance in the first quarter of 2016.[21]

Progress in 2016

Due to the dense vegetation in the contaminated area, Germany has planned to burn the area in sections, to ensure an unobstructed view of the natural ground surface, where submunitions will be detected by visual and “geophysical means.”[22] Preparation of this “site-wide fire protection system” was due to be implemented by remote-controlled caterpillar machinery in the first half of 2016, after which clearance can take place. As at June 2016, it was not known if this preparation had been implemented. The burning of vegetation and clearance of the remaining area is envisaged to start in early 2017.[23]

Article 4 Compliance

Under Article 4 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Germany is required to destroy all cluster munition remnants in areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as possible, but not later than 1 August 2020. The extent to which Germany is on track will become clearer once survey results are known.

The Monitor gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the Mine Action Review supported and published by Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), which conducted mine action research in 2016 and shared it with the Monitor. The Monitor is responsible for the findings presented online and in its print publications.