Legality Raufoss_Mk_211

there has been debate on whether mk 211 projectile legal use against personnel, or if strictly anti-matériel ammunition. international committee of red cross has sought have ammunition banned, due concern on incendiary , explosive components , effect on personnel. under saint petersburg declaration of 1868 military or naval use of explosive or incendiary projectiles mass of under 400 grams forbidden. few nations parties st. petersburg declaration, however, , declaration not govern conduct of non-signatory parties. further, hague treaties of 1899 , 1907 – superseded st. petersburg declaration, , signed far wider circle of nations – permit use of such ammunition auto-cannons , heavy machine guns. machine guns firing .50 cal/12.7mm ammunition heavy machine guns. @ best, icrc s position can applied small group of nations parties st. petersburg declaration; @ worst, icrc s position made moot more 100 years of subsequent international treaties.

trials conducted forsvarets forskningsinstitutt (norwegian defence research establishment) have concluded ammunition not have unlawful effect if unintentionally used against personnel, round have penetrated body , exited on other side before explosive , incendiary components of round initiated. upon hitting person round detonate 50% of time; if target wearing body armor higher detonation frequency expected (as shown icrc tests carried out in 1999). if detonated, round have significant fragmentation , incendiary effect in 30-degree cone behind struck target, , might affect others standing in vicinity. distance round travel ignition detonation 30–40 cm, if target hit @ specific angles round may still inside target @ time of detonation.

the official stance of norwegian government 12.7 mm mp round should not used against personnel, exception has been made snipers using round — due practical limitations of snipers having change type of ammunition used when switching between hardened , soft targets. being exported strictly in anti-matériel capacity.

most nations using round train soldiers not deploy projectile against personnel, in heat of battle such regulations overlooked. also, many parties fielding ammunition have no such regulations, including u.s., policy ammunition suitable use against targets.