At least 18 countries are known to have DU weapons in their arsenals: UK, USA, France, Russia, China, Israel, India, Belarus, and Pakistan are devolving the DU weapon. These countries has arsenal of DU in their stockpile. Greece, Turkey, Thailand Taiwan, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman .Most of these countries were sold DU by the US, UK, France,China,Russia and Pakistan.

“350,000 people will have to be eliminated every day in order to sustain the planet. It's a terrible thing to say but somebody has to say it.” Dr. Jacques Cousteau .DU weapons are doing good job now to sustain the planet. Many countries have now begun manufacturing weapons cased in depleted uranium. Billions of dollars allotted to around the world for cleaning up nuclear waste sites is now being used to ship nuclear waste…to munitions manufacturers all over the world to be "recycled" into weapons. Shells encased in "depleted uranium"
(DU)...makes them super-hard and able to penetrate all existing armor-plating. The US Department of Defense has more than 1.9 billion pounds of nuclear waste in storage from 60 years of nuclear weapons production and nuclear power plants

The historical disability rate amongst soldier’s last century was about 5 percent, although it approached 10 percent during Vietnam. But due to the use of depleted uranium in the battlefield, 56 percent of the 580,400 solders that served in the first Gulf War were on Permanent Medical Disability by 2000. 11,000 Gulf War veterans are already dead. Now 518,739 Gulf War Veterans, almost all of them, are currently on medical disability. Depleted uranium weapons in their military arsenals including three EU Member States: France, Greece and the United Kingdom.

During the current Iraq War the U.S. use of radioactive DU weapons increased from 375 tons used in 1991 to 2200 tons Baghdad record radiation levels 1,000 and 2,000 times higher than background radiation. The Pentagon has bombed, occupied, tortured and contaminated Iraq. Millions of Iraqis are affected. Over one million U.S. soldiers have rotated into Iraq. It has been estimated that 800 -1400 tons of Depleted Uranium has been used in Afghanistan, which is the radioactive equivalent of roughly 83,000 Nagasaki bombs. Rain captures the dust clouds, which then contaminates ground water and food sources, making great swaths of land toxic and uninhabitable.
By the late 1980s there was nearly a billion tons of this material—called tailings—left over in U.S. dumps. Then Pentagon weapons designers came up with a use for the tailings: they could be molded into bullets and bombs. The material was free, and there was plenty at hand. Depleted Uranium is 1.7 times denser than lead, and this means that it can form the core of a shell that will easily penetrate the steel armor of tanks and other military vehicles.

World depleted uranium inventory
United States DOE Estimated DU stocks (tonnes) 680,000 in 2009.
Russia FAEA Estimated DU stocks (tonnes) above half million in 2009
France Areva NC Estimated DU stocks (tonnes) 300,000 in 2009.
United Kingdom BNFL Estimated DU stocks (tonnes) 120,000 in 2009.
Germany Netherlands URENCO Estimated DU stocks (tonnes) 80,000 in 2009.
Japan JNFL Estimated DU stocks (tonnes) 70,000 in 2009.
China CNNC Estimated DU stocks (tonnes) 480,000 in 2009
South Korea KAERI Estimated DU stocks (tonnes) 10,000 in 2009
South Africa NECSA Estimated DU stocks (tonnes) 1,000 in 2009
Pakistan NCA Estimated DU stocks (tonnes) more than 70,000 in 2009
India DAE Estimated DU stocks (tonnes) more than 100,000 in 2009
North Korea MIEI Estimated DU stocks (tonnes) more than 15,000 in 2009
Israel IAEC Estimated DU stocks (tonnes) more than 30,000 in 2009.

The United States and UK had at least 20 weapon systems using from 300 grams to 7 tons of depleted uranium metal. Some estimates suggest that over 1000 tons of depleted uranium were used alone in Iraq and 700-1500 tons in Afghanistan. A new concern is that US heavy machine guns can now fire DU ammunition, which means depleted uranium will be everywhere on the battlefield, including buildings in all the major towns.

AH-64 Apache helicopters fire a huge load of DU from their 30 mm cannon. M2 and M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles (BFVs) are armed with 25 mm DU ammunition, Many M1A1 Abrams were also upgraded with strong DU armor plating. M1A1 Abrams Tanks were armed with 120 mm DU tank shells.

The US is currently by far the largest user of DU weapons. Over the past decade they have bought more than 16 million DU shells and bullets from Alliant TechSystems aloneTwo U.S. companies produce large calibre "depleted" uranium tank rounds: Alliant Techsystems (120mm shells) and the former Primex Technologies, now General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (105mm and 120mm shells). Three other companies – located in France, the former Soviet Union, and Pakistan – also produce large calibre tank rounds. Alliant also produces small calibre rounds (25mm, 30mm) for guns on U.S. aircraft and fighting vehicles.

Aerojet
Aerojet is part of GenCorp, a major technology-based manufacturing company headquartered in Sacramento, California. Aerojet is a leader in the development and manufacture of aerospace propulsion systems; precision tactical weapon systems; and armament systems, including warhead and munitions applications. Aerojet is the second leading provider in both the solid and liquid propulsion market areas, as well as the number one provider in the tactical segment area of solid propulsion. Aerojet Ordnance Tennessee Inc (a subsidiary of Aerojet) manufactures DU penetrators and produces shielding and oxide from DU.

Alliant Techsystems (ATK)
ATK's Ammunition Systems Group is the largest ammunition manufacturing entity in the world. The group operates the Lake City Army.Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri, It also operates the Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Radford, Virginia, where it produces rocket and gun propellants and other energetic materials. Alliant Techsystems makes DU shells for use in U.S. tanks, armoured personnel carriers, aircraft and howitzers. Alliant has produced over 15 million 30 mm PGU-14 shells (used in the A10’s Gatling Gun) for the U.S. Air Force and over a million 120mm M829 rounds for the U.S.

The Silver Bullet M829 120mm, APFSDS-T The M829 is no longer in production. It was replaced by the M829A1 The M829A1 is combat proven in Operation Desert Storm where the round became known as “The Silver Bullet.”and more recently by the M829A2 DU coated Cartaige. M829A3 The M829A3 is the Army's next generation 120mm Armor-piercing Tank round. It replaces the M829A1 and the M829A2 projectiles. These rounds are widely regarded as the most effective tank-fired anti-armor weapons in the world. The A3 round will provide the army greater armor penetration capability than its two predecessors and also with improved accuracy.

PGU-14 API (30mm) The PGU-14 API has the kinetic energy needed to defeat armour, The 30mm PGU series is currently in use with the 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun on the U.S. Air Force A-10 close-support aircraft.

Starmet Corp
The largest defense contractor for DU penetrators is the Starmet Corp. (formerly Nuclear Metals) in Concord, Massachusetts

Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armour piercing and hard target penetrating warheads containing depleted uranium have been tested in (a) Scotland and (b) Dumfries and Galloway in each of the last 10 years in 2001 4500 and just think from last 8 years (2001-2009)0000UK has done more than 3700 test . To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what dense metals are used in the hard-target penetrators of the (a) GBU-24, (b) GBU-32 (upgraded), (c) GBU-37, (d) AGM-86D, (e) AGM-65G, (f) AGM-154C and (g) M220-TOW weapons systems.

United Kingdom The development of the 120mm ‘CHARM 1’ and ‘CHARM 3’ tank ammunition together cost £375m. CHARM 3 tank ammunition is currently in use by the UK’s armed forces, but only in active warfare. The UK MoD claim that tungsten rounds are used for training purposes. The first generation CHARM 1 weapon system cost £213m while CHARM 3 cost £161.5m. Both anti-tank systems were developed under commercial contracts at the following locations.

20 mm Phalanx ground-to-air anti-missile shells. Used by several navies including UK and Israel. High density enables low calibre / high velocity.

BAE Systems (UK)
BAE Systems is "a systems company innovating for a safer world and delivering total solutions to customer requirements, from the outermost reaches of space to the depths of the oceans." BAE Systems has annual sales of £12 billion and employs more than 90,000 people world-wide . BAE Systems designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, C4ISR, electronic systems, guided weapons and a range of other defence products, many of these with international partners.

BAE subsidiary Royal Ordnance (RO Systems) has now ceased production of the CHARM L27 120mm DU round citing environmental reasons - the real reasons revolve around a limited market for a specialised product that can only be fired from the UK madeChallenger tank.

120mm CHARM 3 APFSDS L27
It is the only depleted uranium ammunition currently in use with the British Army. It was fired by the British Challenger II tank in both Gulf Wars. Produced by Royal Ordnance Defence, a part of BAE Systems.

TOW is the most widely distributed anti-tank guided missile in the world with over 500,000 built and in service in the U.S. and 36 other countries." TOW has several warhead options, weight 12 kg, at least one reported to use DU. "BGM-71C Improved TOW (ITOW)

Storm Shadow / SCALP ER. This is a new European long range cruise missile project (joint BAE-RO and Matra) designed to use a BROACH warhead, strongly using a DU penetrator in its second stage. In Service Date for late 2001. Similarities in function to the AGM-86D but possibly using the smaller BROACH warhead (500 lbs ?) developed for the AGM-154C in 1998-99. Production progress have been used in Afghanistan for combat testing.

Cluster bombs with anti-armour sub-munitions use DU in their shaped charge liners. For example the CBU-97 contains 10 x BLU-108/B sub-munitions each with four armour-penetrating projectiles with infrared sensors to detect armoured targets…an explosively formed penetrator * fires at the heat source."

General Dynamics
General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) is a defence conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2005 it is the sixth largest defence contractor in the world. consolidation. The company has three main business segments, Marine, Combat Systems, and Information Systems and Technology. The company employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide.

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems
M919 25mm Is used in the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. It went into production in 2003, and is currently produced by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. The Bradley Fighting vehicle fired DU ammunition during the war against Iraq in 2003.

PGU/20-U 25mm
Is in use by the US Marines in Harrier jets. The equivalent of 10 tons of depleted uranium was used in the form of this ammunition during the first Gulf War. The Multipurpose Concept PGU-28A/B Semi Armor Piercing High Explosive Incendiary (SAPHEI) with delayed reaction carries the effectiveness inside the threats including light armor, aircraft, vehicles and general support equipment. The 20mm SAPHEI PGU-28A/B has demonstrated reliability and operability in the M61 gun system tests completed by the U. S. Government. The Target Practice, PGU-27A/B and Target Practice-Tracer, PGU-30A/B are cost effective training cartridges that are ballistically matched with the PGU-28A/B.

M900A1 (105mm)
The M900A1 APFSDS-T is the primary anti-armour 105 mm tank ammunition in service with the United State's Army and Marine Corps. This fourth generation KE projectile is capable of penetrating the frontal slope of fielded armour systems. In addition, the high technology penetrator and sabot design provides excellent accuracy at all combat ranges. This state-of-the-art 105 mm KE cartridge is compatible with the U.S. M-1, M-60 and M-48 series tanks employing the 105 mm M-68 cannon.

M829A1 (120mm)
Called the "Silver Bullet" of the Gulf War, the M829A1 was last produced for the U.S. Army in December 1993. Prior to that, GDOTS produced more than 250,000 M829A1 cartridges. As with all 120mm tank ammunition produced by GD-OTS, this cartridge is compatible with all standard NATO smoothbore 120mm tank cannons.

M8292A2 APFSDS-T (120mm)
The M829A2 Armour-Piercing, Fin-Stabilized, Discarding Sabot - Tracer (APFSDS-T) is the primary kinetic energy, anti-armour 120mm tank ammunition in service with the United States Army's main battle tank. This fourth generation KE projectile is capable ofpenetrating the frontal slope of all fielded armour systems.

BLU-122/B Penetrator The BLU 122/B penetrator results from our collaboration with defense laboratories and system program offices. As the “business” end of the GBU-28 C/B weapon, it provides enhanced performance against hard and deeply buried targets.

20mm x 102 Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) MK149
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has delivered over 20 million Mk149 cartridges for the Mk15 Close In Weapons System. The Mk149 Mod 4 APDS cartridge with Tungsten Alloy penetrator is effective against anti-ship missiles, low flying aircraft and surface threats. The Mk149 Mod 4 cartridge is fully operable in all Mk15 Systems.

20mm MK244 Mod O ELC This round was developed and produced by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems for the Mk15 Block 1B improved Phalanx system. The Mk 244 Mod O optimized tungsten alloy penetrator extends the effective range against high-speed anti-ship missile threats as well as a full spectrum of surface threats

20mm x 102 Multipurpose Tracer Self Destruct Ammunition (MPT-SD) M940 The 20MM Multipurpose Tracer - Self Destruct cartridge with optimized ballistic projectile shape has demonstrated effectiveness against light armor at 1,000 meters range. This cartridge is effective against airborne and light surface threats at 2,000 meters range.

30mm x 173 High Explosive Incendiary (HEI) PGU-13/B, Armor Piercing Incendiary (API) PGU-14/B and Target Practice (TP) PGU-15/B General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has delivered over 100 million 30mm x 173 cartridges for the A-10 Thunderbolt II GAU-8/A gun system. The combat proven API, PGU-14/B and HEI, PGU-15/B are effective against any modern battlefield target. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems produces TP, PGU-15/B cartridges to meet annual training requirements. The HEI, API and TP are fully operable in the Mk 46 gun system.

105mm C76A1 Kinetic Energy (TUNGSTEN) Tank Ammunition The C76A1 cartridge is used in a direct fire, anti-armor role and is specifically designed for long range tank engagement. The cartridge is made up of two major elements, the projectile assembly and the cartridge. The projectile assembly consists of both a ballistic subprojectile and parasitic hardware

105mm M900A1 Depleted Uranium Armor Piercing Stabilized Discarding Sabot-Tracer (APFSDS-T) The M900A1 APFSDS-T is the primary anti-armor 105 mm tank ammunition in service with the United State's Army and Marine Corps. This fourth generation KE projectile is capable of penetrating the frontal slope of fielded armor systems. In addition, the high technology penetrator and sabot design provides excellent accuracy at all combat ranges. This state-of-the-art 105 mm KE cartridge is compatible with the U.S. M-1, M-60 and M-48 series tanks employing the 105 mm M-68 cannonhttp://www.gd-ots.com/

Pakistan Ordnance Factories
Pakistan has developed an indigenous DU round, the 'Niaza' 125mm DU round is in use with the Al-Khalid tank. The tank was a joint project between China and Pakistan. In 2001 Pakistan's NCD developed a 125mm armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) projectile with a depleted uranium (DU) long-rod penetrator. It was made for use with Chinese-made T-80UD tanks. The Pakistani defence industry works closely with China, sharing research and development - this is largely done as a strategic counter-balance to Russia's close links with India's arms industry. but their military forces have not been notorious for using them

Nexter (Giat Industries)
Nexter (formerly known as GIAT Industries or Groupement des Industries de l'Armée de Terre, Army's Industries Group) is a French Government-owned corporation weapon manufacturer. Ever since it was founded, GIAT's management has been difficult. The company was operated at a loss, and a 2001 report by the Cour des Comptes described the situation as critical. Not until April of 2004 did the board of directors present the public with a financial statement showing a turn over of several hundred million Euros.

This was mostly thanks to increased export sales, the modernization of the Leclerc main battle tank and several other armoured platforms. In 1995, 60,000 penetrators for the 120 mm munition APFSDS-T OFL 120 F2, used by the Leclerc tank were made by Giat Industries of Salbris. The 105 mm munition APFSDS-T OFL 105 E2, used by the F1 canon of the AMX-30 tank of Giat Industries also contains DU.

France used about 1000 tons of depleted uranium for the manufacture of kinetic weapons, presumably the 1000 tons that in November 1993 and now 3000 tons of DU the manufacture of kinetic weapons in 2008-09. Sicn (100% owned by COGEMA) machined 60,000 penetrators for the 120 mm munition APFSDS-T OFL 120 F2, used by the Leclerc tank. The remainder of the munition was made by Giat Industries of Salbris. Both of these companies were also involved in the manufacture of the 105mm ammunition used in the F1 cannon of the AMX-30 tank. (France) OFL 105 F2 105mm APFSDS (for AMX-30B2 tank) OFL 120 F2 120mm APFSDS (for Leclerc tank

China has manufactured and deployed a 125mm DU penetrator for use in its tanks. Three 105mm variants are also reported. Chinese Type-86 105mm DU, Chinese Type-93 105mm DU ,Chinese Type-95 105mm DU

The DoD, the world biggest polluter, is now cleaning up 29,500 currently or formerly contaminated sites in every state and territory of USA . California alone has 3,912 contaminated sites on 441 current and former DoD installations. Many of DoD's facilities have already contaminated groundwater sources of drinking water.... The cost to clean up toxic munitions contamination and unexploded ordnance at active and former military installations around the country may reach $200 billion." - The National Resources Defense Council, April 21, 2004.

"The Defense Department is refusing to comply with orders or sign contracts to clean up 11 hazardous waste sites, including one in Hawaii, and has asked the White House and Justice Department to intervene on its behalf." - The Associated Press, July 1, 2008

By the late 1980s there was nearly a billion tons of this material—called tailings—left over in U.S. dumps. Then Pentagon weapons designers came up with a use for the tailings: they could be molded into bullets and bombs. The material was free, and there was plenty at hand. Depleted Uranium is 1.7 times denser than lead, and this means that it can form the core of a shell that will easily penetrate the steel armor of tanks and other military vehicles.

Conculsion.

1: Depleted uranium weaponry is withdrawn from military arsenals until a risk analysis can be undertaken.
2: The UNEP be allowed to conduct a survey of the environmental disposition of DU, currently forbidden by the U.S. military, which could be useful as a preliminary step to evaluating health effects.
3: The U.S. military support independent studies of the longer-term health effects of battlefield use of DU on combatants and on the Iraqi population exposed to DU in the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 war in Iraq Afghanistan and in Pakistan.
4: DU contaminated weapons be removed from battle sites to preclude possible long-term radiation contamination of the environment.
5: The Iraqi Ministry of Health initiates a prevention-oriented DU public health program, outlined above, with support from the Coalition Provision Authority and the WHO.
6: Pakistan government has to put total ban on import of DU fired shell Scrap from Afghanistan and Iraq.
7: US is firing hell fire Missile from drones in Pakistan which is totally DU weapon GOP must take a full scale study in Tribal areas about the damage and future damage . A worst human right abuse is committed by USA in Pakistan after firing DU weapons in Pakistan innocent people due to war on terror .The people who survived the war on terror will going to suffer whole of their life due to these dirty DU weapons .
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/agm-114.htm
usman karim based in Lahore Pakistan lmno25@hotmail.com