Vehicle Borne Bombs on the up
by Allen Vanguard
Open source information* suggests that the number of vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) has more than doubled in the past 12 months worldwide
The total number of VBIED incidents from 1 January to 5 November 2004 was 245, in 2003 there were just 84. The conflict in Iraq is the obvious reason for the increase: 185 of this years VBIED incidents happened there, but two years ago there were none reported in the country.
Barry Taylor at Allen-Vanguard, comments: VBIEDs are widely regarded as one of the most challenging tasks that a bomb technician can face. He must apply all his skills, experience and EOD tools and accessories in the render safe procedure.
After extensive liaison with bomb technicians, Allen-Vanguard has upgraded its Hook & Line (HAL) Vehicle Access Kit to meet the current demands of the field. Improvements include a multi-purpose clamp as well as a range of field-proven specialist tools to assist with vehicle entry or clearance.
All the vehicle access tools adhere to the same primary and overriding criteria: they are simple to use and quick to rig, usually only taking seconds, thus minimising the bomb technician's time at risk from the device, Taylor concluded.
VBIED STATISTICS
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2001
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2002
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2003
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2004 (to5 Nov 04)
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Total VBIED incidents
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64 (100%)
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56 (100%)
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84 (100%)
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245 (100%)
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No of these exploded
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48 (75%)
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40 (71%)
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72 (86%)
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217 (88%)
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No of these rendered safe/finds
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16 (25%)
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16 (29%)
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12 (14%)
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28 (12%)
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No of total that are suicide VBIEDs
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2 (3%)
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4 (7%)
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38 (45%)
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93 (38%)
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No of countries with VBIED incidents
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12
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13
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18
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21
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No of total incidents in Iraq
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-
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-
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34
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185
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No of total in Iraq that are suicide
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-
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-
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24 (71%)
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80 (43%)
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Deductions:
No of countries experiencing VBIED incidents is increasing
No of VBIED incidents has increased largely due to Iraq (underlying trend is generally static at around 50-65 per annum)
Effectiveness of devices is increasing (we manage to render safe less)
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