Tükkeutuslaited

Tükkeutuslaited, also known as fragmentation devices or scatter munitions, are types of weapons designed to release smaller submunitions over a wide area. These submunitions, often called bomblets or grenades, are dispersed from a parent munition, such as a bomb, missile, or artillery shell. The parent munition typically detonates at a predetermined altitude or time, scattering the submunitions to strike targets within the affected zone. The submunitions themselves can vary greatly in design and purpose, ranging from high-explosive fragmentation payloads to anti-armor or incendiary types.

The intended effect of tükkeutuslaited is to maximize the area of effect from a single delivery, making them potentially useful against dispersed troop concentrations, lightly armored vehicles, or other area targets. However, their widespread dispersal also leads to significant humanitarian concerns. A primary issue is the high dud rate of submunitions, meaning a percentage of the bomblets fail to detonate upon impact. These unexploded submunitions can remain active for extended periods, acting as de facto landmines that pose a long-term threat to civilians, particularly children, long after the conflict has ended. The indiscriminate nature of their dispersal and the lasting danger posed by unexploded ordnance have led to widespread international condemnation and efforts to ban their use, culminating in the Convention on Cluster Munitions, though not all nations have ratified this treaty.