About 600 tons of the National Army Depots Ammunition to be Processed

CHISINAU, July 20, 2012 — About 600 tons of the National Army ammunition made in 1960-1980 will be processed as part of the program on explosion risk mitigation in the ammunition depots, implemented by the Ministry of Defense in partnering with Norwegian People’s Aid Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).

According to Col. Andrei Sarban, Deputy Chief of National Army Main Staff for Resource Management, this process will lower the risk of uncontrolled explosion and maintain safety in ammunition warehouses. “The area where this ammunition is kept is safer for the civilians in the surrounding areas, as well as for the military personnel involved in ammunition processing related activities. All the personnel engaged in this process were trained in compliance with the international standards and the methods used by the staff to this process make the control and record of ammunition faster”, Sarban said.

Lee Moroney, project manager, Mine Action Department, Norwegian People’s Aid, appreciated the OSCE and other international support in working on other National Army ammunition depots destruction process. The Ministry of Defense is very committed in moving forward and insuring that the ammunition storage meets international standards“, Lee Moroney specified.

About 90 tons of obsolete munitions were processed and nearly 12 tons, considered as a threat of explosion, were destroyed as part of the first project carried out during May 7 — June 15.

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova concluded the Memorandum of Understanding with “Norwegian People’s Aid” in May 2012. The document highlights the implementation of a program on explosive risk mitigation in the National Army ammunition depots.