On Monday, it was revealed that the British Army and Royal Marines suspended the use of its high-explosive 105 mm artillery ammunition due to defects.
Britain’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) implemented a precautionary safety measure after discovering metal contamination. The defect risks shrapnel injury to soldiers using live explosive L31 rounds in the L118 Light Gun.
The Ministry of Defense released a statement on Monday saying,"“The safety of our Armed Forces is of paramount importance, and the manufacture and use of 105 mm live ammunition, which is used by a small number of British Army regiments, has been stopped while an isolated incident of metallic contamination is investigated. We are working with the supplier to understand when manufacture can safely restart."
The manufacturer of the rounds, UK-based BAE Systems, said that they are working with British officials to correct the defect but failed to provide a timeline as to when corrective action would be complete.
"We have worked closely with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to investigate the issue identified and have a comprehensive plan in place to address it," said BAE Systems in a statement released Monday. "The work is taking place at a high level within both organizations to permit lifting of the precautionary safety notice at the earliest opportunity. In the interim, BAE Systems has worked closely with the MoD to rapidly develop an Indicating High Explosive round (designated L55) to permit training to continue."
