Jordan IV

NATO Trust Fund projects have provided in Jordan a modern demilitarisation centre and an initial propellant surveillance testing capability. Far away from the encroachment of city housing, a new demilitarisation centre was constructed to NATO safeguarding rules and distances in a desert zone. Through initial propellant testing the safety conditions for stockpile demilitarisation have improved significantly and a baseline has been recorded for all propellants.

Due to historical legacy, gifting and assistance programmes to Jordan, ammunition data upon which management decisions can be made is not commonly available. Decisions to prioritise destruction are usually based upon a calculation between at least two data sets and may involve testing a number of components. An appropriate range of tests and results are therefore necessary to enable strategic stockpile decisions on demilitarisation.

Ammunition dismantling allows for an efficient and effective remove and demilitarisation of ammunition. Explosives may be subsequently destroyed but materials, mostly metals, can be recovered for scrap recycling. While destruction by burning or demolition has no revenue return, it is appropriate that revenue from recoverable and saleable materials should off-set the dismantling and demilitarisation costs.

The project is to set the conditions for a self-sustaining Jordanian ammunition demilitarisation capacity. The following three initiatives will be implemented over 48 months period:

1. Demilitarisation Centre. Through the development of procedures and accreditation, the project will support HQ Ammunition Command to provide the frameworks and tools to sustainably manage and conduct demilitarisation. This will include environmental management and resource planning.
2. Propellant Surveillance. The project will provide additional test equipment capacity for analysing legacy ammunition systems and will support accreditation as an international laboratory. Support will also be given for Jordan’s involvement in NATO Ammunition Safety Group activities.
3. Destruction and Recycling. The project will support destruction of 240 gross tonnes of ammunition identified as unsuitable for service and as a priority through testing. The process will also trial recycling and recovery to maximise returned revenue to resource this and future demilitarisation activities.

This proposal is the finalisation of a capability to manage Jordan’s ammunition stockpile and to identify and prioritise aged and obsolete stocks for demilitarisation. The capability provides a lead in technical support available to regional demilitarisation through bilateral services to Allies, Partners or advice to NGOs working in areas of conflict.

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