GYATA-64 mine
Encyclopedia
The GYATA-64 is a Hungarian
antipersonnel mine, very similar to the Russia
n PMN mine
in design and appearance. However, the Gyata-64 mine has a 300 gram explosive charge compared with the 240 gram charge in a PMN mine. As a result the Gyata-64 is the most powerful AP blast mine commonly encountered, for which reason it is particularly deadly.
To put things in perspective, most anti-personnel blast mines (e.g. the VS-50
) contain around 50 grams of explosive, which is enough to destroy all or part of a victim's foot. In marked contrast, the 300 gram charge inside a Gyata-64 mine can easily destroy a victim's entire leg (often requiring amputation
well above the knee) in addition to inflicting severe injuries on the adjacent
limb, which may also require some form of amputation
.
The Gyata-64 mine is cylindrical with a plastic body and a black rubber pressure cap. The fuze
protrudes from either side of the mine. Although the body is plastic, the fuze itself contains a steel striker and spring, which make it detectable by conventional mine detectors.
Hungary ceased production of all antipersonnel mines before 1995 and by 1998 had destroyed its stock pile of 149,686 GYATA-64 mines. Approximately 1,500 were retained for training and research as of 2004. Legacy stockpiles may exist in some foreign countries, in addition to those already planted in existing minefields. Examples have been found in Mozambique
, Angola
and Lebanon
.
The render safe procedure
s are the same as those used for the PMN mine.
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
antipersonnel mine, very similar to the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n PMN mine
PMN mine
The PMN series of blast anti-personnel mines were designed and manufactured in Russia. They are one of the most widely used and commonly found devices during demining operations.-PMN-1:...
in design and appearance. However, the Gyata-64 mine has a 300 gram explosive charge compared with the 240 gram charge in a PMN mine. As a result the Gyata-64 is the most powerful AP blast mine commonly encountered, for which reason it is particularly deadly.
To put things in perspective, most anti-personnel blast mines (e.g. the VS-50
VS-50 mine
The VS-50 is a circular plastic cased anti-personnel blast mine, formerly manufactured by the now-defunct Valsella Meccanotecnica SpA, an Italian high-tech defense industry specialized in area denial systems which was also the manufacturer of the Valmara 69 and one of the first industries in the...
) contain around 50 grams of explosive, which is enough to destroy all or part of a victim's foot. In marked contrast, the 300 gram charge inside a Gyata-64 mine can easily destroy a victim's entire leg (often requiring amputation
Amputation
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...
well above the knee) in addition to inflicting severe injuries on the adjacent
Adjacent
Adjacent is an adjective meaning contiguous, adjoining or abuttingIn geometry, adjacent is when sides meet to make an angle.In graph theory adjacent nodes in a graph are linked by an edge....
limb, which may also require some form of amputation
Amputation
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...
.
The Gyata-64 mine is cylindrical with a plastic body and a black rubber pressure cap. The fuze
Fuze
Fuze Beverage, commercially referred to as just Fuze , is a manufacturer of teas and non-carbonated fruit drinks enriched with vitamins. Currently the brand consists of five vitamin-infused lines: Slenderize, Refresh, Tea, Defensify, and Vitalize...
protrudes from either side of the mine. Although the body is plastic, the fuze itself contains a steel striker and spring, which make it detectable by conventional mine detectors.
Hungary ceased production of all antipersonnel mines before 1995 and by 1998 had destroyed its stock pile of 149,686 GYATA-64 mines. Approximately 1,500 were retained for training and research as of 2004. Legacy stockpiles may exist in some foreign countries, in addition to those already planted in existing minefields. Examples have been found in Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
, Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
and Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
.
The render safe procedure
Render safe procedure
The render safe procedure is the portion of the explosive ordnance disposal procedures involving the application of special explosive ordnance disposal procedures, methods and tools to provide the interruption of functions or separation of essential components of unexploded ordnance to prevent an...
s are the same as those used for the PMN mine.
Specifications
- Height: 61 mm
- Diameter: 106 mm
- Weight: 520 g
- Explosive charge: 300 g TNT