Summary:

The Capacity Development Programme for SALW (Conventional Ammunition) Demilitarization and Safe Storage for Montenegro, abbreviated as MONDEM, has successfully addressed highest security priorities of Montenegro over the period from 2007 through 2018, and strongly affirmed the partnership of the Government of Montenegro, UNDP and the OSCE.

This partnership programme has largely eliminated the risks to the population and to the environment of Montenegro posed by stockpiles of arms and conventional ammunition.  

Objectives:

Building safe future for the citizens of Montenegro, in four areas:

• Human Security by the reduction of risks to the citizens and local communities posed by inappropriate ammunition and explosive storage infrastructure, combined with decaying ammunition.
• Counter-proliferation Policy, demonstrated by improved physical security at conventional ammunition stockpiles, combined with a significant reduction of the size of the arms and ammunition stockpiles.
• Reduction of Environmental Pollution through the destruction of hazardous chemical waste, the environmentally benign destruction of conventional ammunition and the recycling of heavy weapons systems into commercial materials.
• The National SALW Control Strategy of Montenegro brought with the OSCE and UNDP/SEESAC support in 2013 to include also the Action Plan 2013-2018, which is being updated at this time for the period 2019-2025 and which incorporates fully the SALW Roadmap for the WB adopted under the Berlin Process

Activities:

1. Destruction and Recycling of Heavy Weapon Systems:

60 battle tanks and 965 different field artillery pieces, rocket launchers etc. were melted for scrap. This programme component of MONDEM started in 2007 and was completed in May 2009. The proceeds obtained from the recycled scrap metal (close to US$ 1 million) were dedicated by the Government of Montenegro for the financing of the implementation of the other MONDEM programme components.

Melting of tanks and heavy artillery pieces from the Yugoslav era was a strong message conveyed that Montenegro has embraced upon a new era of peace and stability.

2. Disposal of Toxic Hazardous Substances:

55.08 tonnes of mélange oxidizer, 47.23 tonnes of rocket fuel TG-02 and 25.84 tonnes of napalm powder were safely disposed of in November 2008 in a specialized facility in Sweden, in line with EU safety and environmental standards.

Most of the toxic hazardous substances used to be stored on the shores of the ‘Boka’ Bay - one of the most beautiful bays in Europe.

3. Upgrade of Stockpile Management and Security

3.1 Full infrastructure and perimeter upgrade of the “Taraš” Ammunition Depot, in line with internationally accepted standards for safe stockpile management, was successfully finalized in May 2011.

3.2 Upgrade of three magazines1 and construction of fencing of the “Brezovik” Ammunition Depot, in line with internationally accepted standards, was successfully finalized in 2013 and December 2018 respectively.

The “Taraš” video surveillance system and the interior of the reconstructed “Brezovik” magazines.

4. SALW (Conventional Ammunition) Demilitarization

A total of 1,806 tons of surplus ammunition was safely and securely destroyed in the facilities of the ‘Poliex’ Factory, Berane and the ‘Tara’ Factory, Mojkovac in the period from 2010 until Dec. 2018.

The method of disposal was the reverse assembly for all of the ammunition destroyed under the MONDEM programme.

Results:

3,300 tons of heavy weapon disposed, 128 tons of toxic substances safely disposed, 1 ammunition storage fully reconstructed and 1 partially with all magazines reconstructed and security fence constructed, 1806 tons of surplus-obsolete ammunition demilitarized.

The achievements with the programme have made an obvious difference for a safer and more secure Montenegro. Additionally, MONDEM continues to be a model of successful co-operation that was replicated elsewhere in the region. It was featured in the OSCE’s Good Practice Guide on International Co-ordination and Co-operation in Support of the Host Country and in the global UNDP publication as a success story. 

Relevant links:

Empowering lives, building resilience

OSCE

Mondem website