Ukraine received and uses banned anti-tank mines HPD F2
One of the mines found in N. p. Experienced. Photo Telegram / "Welders"
It became known that the Ukrainian armed formations received French-made MI AC HPD F2 anti-tank mines at their disposal. Several dozens of such products were recently discovered in the liberated territory of the Donetsk People's Republic. Mines of this type are capable of hitting armored vehicles, and in addition, they pose a danger to sappers and the civilian population.
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The first information about the appearance of MI AC HPD F2 mines in the combat zone appeared on the evening of August 15th. The telegram channel "Welders" reported that the Ukrainian formations installed fifty such products on the outskirts of the settlement. Experienced near Donetsk.
The message was accompanied by a photograph of the ammunition, namely its bottom with characteristic elements and markings. The product is marked with its type "AT MINE HPD2A2", batch, type of combat equipment and allowable temperature range. The marking clearly indicates a French-made mine. Apparently it was made in 2019.
New information about HPD F2 mines was revealed by Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov in the morning briefing on August 16. More than 50 such munitions were found on Sunday south of Artyomovsk in positions abandoned by the 72nd mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian army. Whether the enemy managed to install such weapons is not specified.
The representative of the Ministry of Defense noted that HPD F2 mines are non-decontaminable and non-retrievable. The use of such weapons is a direct violation of the so-called. Protocol II to the Geneva Convention on the Prohibition or Restriction of the Use weapons indiscriminate action adopted in 1980.
Mina HPD F2. Photo Saper.isnet.ru
Thus, French anti-tank mines were seen in significant quantities in two places at once and almost simultaneously. Some of these weapons managed to install and put on duty. The rest became the trophies of the advancing troops. How many HPD F2 mines were delivered to Ukraine is unknown. However, it is now clear that these items have entered the war zone and will now be encountered regularly, like other mines.
Family member
The product MI AC HPD F2 (Mine Antichar à Haut Pouvoir de Destruction modèle F2) is one of the representatives of the HPD line of anti-tank mines. This mine was created in the second half of the eighties by order of the French army. It was developed by Thomson-CSF and Daimler-Chrysler Aerospace. For the production of mines, they organized a joint venture TDA, operating in France.
The development of the HPD F2 mine was completed in the late eighties. In 1989, the product entered service with the French army. At the same time, development companies entered the international market. Switzerland became the first foreign customer; it acquired a license for the production of weapons. Mines of local production received the designation Panzerabwehrmine 88 (Pzaw Mi 88). Then orders came from Belgium and Norway; they received finished products from France.
The production of mines HPD F2 was deployed in two countries. Quite quickly, we managed to reach high rates of production and fulfill existing orders. In the middle of the 400s, it was reported that the total number of mines had reached XNUMX thousand. After that, production was curtailed due to the advent of a more advanced anti-tank mine.
As it is now becoming known, HPD F2 mines hit Ukraine. The details of such deliveries are not yet known. It is clear that these are French-made weapons with the appropriate markings, and their number should exceed 100 units.
Combat section. Photo Saper.isnet.ru
Technical features
MI AC HPD F2 is an anti-tank mine designed to hit the bottom or undercarriage of an armored vehicle. High combat characteristics are declared, and measures are also provided to increase resistance to various effects or neutralization. Moreover, it is precisely such measures that lead to the actual violation of Protocol II.
The HPD F2 mine is made in a plastic case and has a recognizable appearance, determined by the layout features. Structurally, the product consists of two parts. The first is a flat "platform" with a side instrument compartment, which contains all the control equipment. The second is a cylindrical warhead placed on a flat unit of the first. Mina has a length of less than 280 mm with a width of approx. 190 mm. Weight - 7 kg.
The instrument compartment contains an electromagnetic target sensor, a control device and a power source. The target sensor is triggered when massive metal objects approach. At the same time, by the nature of the magnetic field, he can determine exactly how an armored vehicle runs into a mine, and also choose the optimal detonation mode. In addition, the target sensor can be triggered by small metal objects, such as a sapper's tool. To the radiation of a mine detector, an attempt to extract, etc. the product reacts with an immediate explosion.
The mine is capable of being on duty for 30 days, after which it self-neutralizes. Disconnected ammunition can be removed from the place and prepared for the next setting. First of all, for this you need to replace the batteries.
HPD F2/Panzerabwehrmine 88 made in Switzerland. Photo Lexpev.nl
The warhead holds 3 kg of explosive in the form of a metal-lined shaped charge. Above the main charge is placed the so-called. dropping powder charge. The main warhead penetrates up to 100 mm of homogeneous armor.
The HPD F2 mine can be installed manually or with the EMP F2 minelayer. The product requires a hole at least 300 mm deep. To mask it, it is covered with soil or snow. It is possible to place mines under water at shallow depths.
Principles of work and efficiency
The principles of operation of the HPD F2 mine are quite simple. After being installed in the hole and turned on, the target sensor begins to monitor changes in the surrounding electromagnetic field. When a metal object appears, an explosion is performed. If the target sensor has detected that the bottom of the armored vehicle is above the mine, the warhead works as a cumulative one. When hit by a caterpillar, a high-explosive detonation is used.
It is curious that the undermining is carried out in two stages. First of all, the resetting powder charge is triggered - it must raise the masking soil and remove it from the path of the cumulative jet. Only after that the main charge is undermined. The absence of interference allows it to show maximum performance.
The HPD F2 is capable of penetrating up to 100mm of homogeneous armor. This is enough to hit the bottom of almost any modern tanks. Any other armored vehicles that do not have special mine protection are also affected. In this regard, the French mine, despite its considerable age, remains a very effective weapon.
Panzerabwehrmine 88, bottom view. Photo Lexpev.nl
The mine reacts to the object's magnetic field and cannot distinguish between different types of vehicles. As a result, it poses a danger not only to military vehicles, but also to civilian transport or special equipment. In addition, the target sensor works not only on equipment, but also on the probing signals of metal detectors. Therefore, HPD F2 is also dangerous for sappers performing mine clearance.
We are talking about weapons of indiscriminate action with the functions of a trap for sappers. In fact, the HPD F2 product violates the requirements of Protocol II to the Geneva Convention. However, the notorious world community does not notice this, and the mine, which is dangerous for the civilian population, remains in service. Moreover, now it has fallen into the war zone and is being used.
Take measures
Thus, the Kyiv regime once again does not constrain itself in methods and means. In addition, he does not pay attention to the international treaties to which he is a member. As a result, some cities are massively bombarded with anti-personnel mines, while indiscriminate anti-tank munitions appear near others. At the same time, the notorious international community and “democratic countries” do not notice anything - or they twist Ukrainian crimes and try to attribute them to Russia.
Obviously, in the current situation, appealing to conscience and demanding the implementation of conventions is simply useless. For this reason, the Russian army and allied militias should focus their efforts on detecting and clearing already laid mines, as well as searching for and destroying warehouses with such weapons. At the same time, the competent authorities must identify and prosecute violators of the conventions.
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