DU Testing Continues to be a Source of International Debate

Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland A series of tests involving the firing of 20 armor piercing projectiles completed earlier this month marked the last planned firing of DU at the Duncrennan range. The recent limited DU testing stirred up a tremendous amount of controversy and debate between environmental groups and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) that reunited a seven year old debate over potential environmental impacts from DU.

The use of DU at the Duncrennan range dates back to the early 1980s when for over 20 years an average of 300 DU projectiles were fired at the range annually to proof test ammunition. In 2001, an environmental study conducted on the range by the MOD found trace amounts off uranium isotopes in soils, plants and earthworms on the range. These findings resulted, in part, on the halting of DU testing at the range for the past seven years.

The previous environmental study and increased concerns over the potential for environmental contamination resulted in the MOD establishing extra precautions to minimize the potential for DU contamination in the recent tests. The precautions included the use of paper targets to minimize dust that is created when projectiles strike solid targets and the implementation of air, water and soil sampling monitoring programs.

Although the MOD study concluded "The findings continue to show DU does not pose a significant risk to the public", no future tests involving DU are planned for the range. The use of DU on ranges and in recent wars / conflicts have sparked numerous debates on an international level. These debates will most likely continue as DU remains a necessary component in defeating tanks and other armored vehicles.

Note - The Duncrennan range is part of the 4,700 acre Kirkcudbright Training Area that was established by the British Army in 1942 to train forces for the invasion of mainland Europe. The range takes its name from the nearby village of Dundrennan.