What are Cluster Bombs?

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About Cluster bombs:

A cluster bomb is a type of weapon that is designed to disperse smaller bombs over a large area.
They are also known as cluster munitions, with the smaller bombs referred to as submunitions or bomblets.
They can be dropped from air or fired from ground/sea, dispersing dozens or hundreds of bomblets across a large area.
These explosions pose a grave threat to anyone in the vicinity, causing death or severe injuries.
Some bomblets fail to detonate immediately, leaving behind unexploded ordnance that can harm or kill people for years to come
The use of cluster bombs has been widely condemned internationally.
Over 100 countries have ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Key Facts about Convention on Cluster Munitions

It was adopted in Dublin on 30 May 2008 and opened for signature in Oslo on 3 December the same year.
It prohibits all use, stockpiling, production and transfer of cluster munitions.
Separate articles in the Convention concern destruction of stockpiles, clearance of contaminated areas, assistance to victims, submission of transparency reports, and adoption of domestic legislation.
The Convention became binding international law when it entered into force on 1 August 2010.
Till date a total of 123 States have joined the Convention – 111 States Parties and 12 Signatories.
India is not a signatory to this convention.

Q1) What are Cluster munitions?

Cluster munitions are weapons that are designed to disperse multiple smaller explosive submunitions over a wide area. They are often delivered from aircraft or artillery and can be deployed from the ground, air, or sea. Cluster munitions consist of a main container or dispenser that releases the submunitions, which are small explosive devices, often referred to as bomblets or submunitions.