exploding ammunition
Exploding ammunition or spiked ammunition is an ammunition and other ordnance that is sabotaged (propellant replaced) and left behind for enemy forces, generally insurgents, to find and use. It is designed to explode and destroy the weapon it is used in and perhaps injure or kill the person attempting to fire the weapon. In addition to explosive cartridges used in small arms, exploding ammunition can include rocket-propelled grenades or mortar shells.
Also recorded as explosive cartridge · spiked ammo
exploding ammunition
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- ammunition
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Documentary summary
Exploding ammunition or spiked ammunition is an ammunition and other ordnance that is sabotaged (propellant replaced) and left behind for enemy forces, generally insurgents, to find and use. It is designed to explode and destroy the weapon it is used in and perhaps injure or kill the person attempting to fire the weapon. In addition to explosive cartridges used in small arms, exploding ammunition can include rocket-propelled grenades or mortar shells.
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wikidata · Q5421284 · wikipedia · Exploding ammunition
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Historical use
Historical use
Exploding ammunition was used by both Allied and German forces during World War II, by Iraq, and Afghanistan; possibly by the Soviet Union in Afghanistan as well.
Vietnam war
Vietnam war
Exploding ammunitions were used by the United States in Vietnam (Project Eldest Son).
Syrian civil war
Syrian civil war
In 2013 it was reportedly used by Bashar al-Assad led Syrian government forces during the Syrian civil war in order to target Free Syrian Army fighters in the eastern district of Damascus. The bullets' explosives were replaced by more potent primary explosives. Not every round was repurposed however.
Distribution
Distribution
In addition to sale through black market channels, exploding ammunition may be distributed to enemy forces by being "lost" during transport, or on the battlefield where it may be left behind after a retreat. If the opportunity presents itself, exploding ammunition may be switched with ammunition stocks of the enemy or even the cartridges in the weapons of dead enemies.
Effectiveness
Effectiveness
Exploding ammunition, if used by enemy forces, is demoralizing, produces casualties, and destroys enemy weapons. However, it is quite likely that, once introduced into a theater of war, it will end up injuring friendly forces or even forces of the government which introduced it. Using a small charge which only jams the weapon is sometimes done when the chance that the spiked ammunition may fall into friendly hands is high, for example, when a case of ammunition is "lost" by appearing to have fallen from the back of a truck.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Rottman, Gordon L. Grunt slang in Vietnam : words of the war. 2020. 978-1-5040-6170-4.
- 2.C. J. Chivers. Syrians Place Booby-Trapped Ammunition in Rebels' Guns. The New York Times. October 19, 2012.
- 3.Ingersoll, Geoffrey. 'Spiked Ammo' Is One Of Assad's Dirtier Tricks In Syria's Civil War. Business Insider.
- 4.Exploding Bullets Target FSA Fighters. Syria. 26 September 2013.
References
Citations
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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