PMD series mines


The PMD-6, PMD-7 and PMD-57 series mines are Soviet Union blast-type anti-personnel mines that consist of a wooden box with a hinged lid with a slot cut into it. The slot presses down against a retaining pin, which holds back the striker. When sufficient pressure is applied to the lid of the box the retaining pin moves, allowing the striker to hit the detonator. The mines typically have an operating pressure of 1 to 10 kg.
Due its minimal use of metal, it was virtually indetectable by 1940s metal detectors, but by the late 1990s it could be located at a range of with a Ebinger 420 or other contemporary detectors. As with other wooden box mines, the mine has a relatively short lifetime since the box is vulnerable to rotting and splitting, disabling the mine. In dry climates however, PMD-6s were found in operational condition up to ten years after being laid.
The mines are sometimes used with mortar bombs in place of the normal explosive blocks.

Variants

PMD-6 − original version of the mine, first used in the 1939 Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland.PMD-6M − slightly larger version of the mine, with a leaf spring installed inside the box to increase operating pressure, which allows safer handling during minelaying.PMD-6F − a version used extensively during the Siege of Leningrad, with an ammonium nitrate/fuel oil main charge.PMD-7 − smaller version of the mine, using a cylindrical main charge.PMD-7ts − consists of a solid wooden block hollowed out to accept the main charge and fuse.PMD-57 − A later, larger box mine, using a larger warhead.Type 59 − Chinese copyPP Mi-D − Czech copyPMD-1 − Yugoslav copy
Due the mine simple construction and to evade the arms embargo, Rhodesia produced copies of the PMD-6 during the Rhodesian Bush War.

Users

  • − PMD-6 produced locally until 1991. Stockpiles destroyed in 2002
  • − PMD-6 and PMD-6M, used for training only
  • − PMD-6, used for training only
  • − Produced locally as the Type 59
  • − PMD-6, used for training only
  • − Produced locally as the PP Mi-D
  • − PMD-6M. Stockpiles destroyed in 2002
  • − PMD-6, seized from Ethiopian depots or minefields
  • − PMD-6
  • − PMD-6
  • − PMD-6
  • − PMD-6
  • − PMD-6
  • − PMD-6
  • − PMD-6M. Stockpiles destroyed between 1999 and 2002
  • − PMD-6 and PMD-6M, used for training only
  • − PMD-6 produced locally until 1957, remaining stockpiles used for training only
  • − Locally produced copies of the PMD-6
  • − Replaced by the PMN in the early 1960s
  • − PMD-6
  • − PMD-6 produced locally
  • − PMD-6, used for training only
  • − Produced locally as the PMD-1

Non-state actors