Source: https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v2_rul_rule8_sectiond
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 15:09:42+00:00

Document:
Article 2 of the 1907 Hague Convention (IX) allows the bombardment of “the ships of war in the harbour”.
According to paragraph I(5) of the proposed annex to Article 7(2) of the 1956 New Delhi Draft Rules, “rocket launching ramps” are military objectives considered to be of “generally recognized military importance”.
Draft Rules for the Limitation of the Dangers Incurred by the Civilian Population in Time of War, drafted by the International Committee of the Red Cross, September 1956, submitted to governments for their consideration on behalf of the 19th International Conference of the Red Cross, New Delhi, 28 October–7 November, Res. XIII, § I(5) of the proposed annex to Article 7(2).
Australia’s LOAC Manual (2006) gives “enemy armed forces and their military weapons” as examples of military objectives.
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, § 5.27.
In its chapter on “Maritime Operations”, the manual states: “Merchant vessels and civil aircraft are civilian objects unless they are military objectives”.
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, § 6.37.
In its chapter on “Air Operations”, the manual states: “Enemy military aircraft may be attacked and destroyed in any airspace other than neutral airspace”.
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, § 8.48.
The LOAC Manual replaces both the Defence Force Manual (1994) and the Commanders’ Guide (1994).
Cameroon’s Instructor’s Manual (1992) considers that enemy warships are military objectives.
Cameroon, Droit international humanitaire et droit de la guerre, Manuel de l’instructeur en vigueur dans les Forces Armées, Présidence de la République, Ministère de la Défense, Etat-major des Armées, Troisième Division, Edition 1992, p. 111.
Cameroon’s Instructor’s Manual (2006) states in relation to the rules on the distinction between warships and merchant ships that “after the identification, only a military objective may be attacked, in this case [only] the warship”.
Cameroon, Droit des conflits armés et droit international humanitaire, Manuel de l’instructeur en vigueur dans les forces de défense, Ministère de la Défense, Présidence de la République, Etat-major des Armées, 2006, p. 258, § 613.
Canada’s LOAC Manual (1999) considers that “military aircraft, weapons [and] ammunition” are “generally accepted as being military objectives”.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Level, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 1999, p. 4-2, § 9(b); see also p. 8-7, § 47 (enemy warships and military aircraft).
Canada’s LOAC Manual (2001) states in its chapter on targeting: “The following are generally accepted as being military objectives: … military aircraft, weapons, ammunition”.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, § 407.1.b.
Enemy warships, military aircraft, auxiliary vessels, and auxiliary aircraft … are legitimate targets and may be attacked. Such vessels and aircraft may not be attacked if they are protected under paragraph 41 [of the San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea, which states that: ‘Attacks shall be limited strictly to military objectives’]”.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, § 833.
Chad’s Instructor’s Manual (2006) states that military objectives may include “tanks [and] ships”.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Teaching Manual (2007) provides in Book IV (Instruction of heads of division and company commanders): “The following objects are generally recognized as military objectives: … military aircraft, weapons, munitions”.
Croatia’s LOAC Compendium (1991) states that proper targets in the air include “enemy military aircraft violating national airspace or flying over the high seas”.
Croatia, Compendium “Law of Armed Conflicts”, Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, 1991, p. 44.
Ecuador’s Naval Manual (1989) states: “Proper targets for naval attack include such military objectives as enemy warships and military aircraft, naval and military auxiliaries … military vehicles, armour, artillery, ammunition stores”.
Germany’s Military Manual (1992) provides that military objectives include, in particular, “military aircraft and warships”.
Hungary’s Military Manual (1992) states that proper targets in the air include “enemy military aircraft violating national airspace or flying over the high seas”.
Hungary, A Hadijog, Jegyzet a Katonai, Föiskolák Hallgatói Részére, Magyar Honvédség Szolnoki Repülötiszti Föiskola, 1992, p. 71.
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario y Derechos Humanos para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial No. 049-2010/DE/VPD, Lima, 21 May 2010, § 121(c), p. 313.
The Russian Federation’s Regulations on the Application of IHL (2001) states: “military objectives include … weapons and military equipment”.
-vessels converted into war-ships, namely, those meeting the following conditions: it is placed under the direct authority, immediate control, and responsibility of the power whose flag it flies; bear the external marks which distinguish the war-ships of their nationality; are under the command of an officer who is in the service of the state, his name figuring on the list of the officers of the fighting fleet or in a similar document; the crew must be subject to military discipline.
Spain’s Field Regulations (1882) stipulates that objects useful in war, inter alia, arms, munitions, machines and tanks, are objects on which an attack is lawful.
According to Spain’s LOAC Manual (1996), “military vehicles, warships and military aircraft [and] materiel, objects and goods belonging to the armed forces and which serve no medical or religious purpose” are military objectives.
Spain’s LOAC Manual (2007) states that “military vehicles, ships and aircraft [and] materiel, objects and property of the armed forces that are not of a medical or religious nature” are military objectives.
The UK LOAC Pamphlet (1981) states that military objectives include “minefields [and] weapons”.
United Kingdom, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Ministry of Defence, 1 July 2004, § 5.4.1.
According to Italy’s Law of War Decree (1938), as amended in 1992, “warships and military aircraft” are legitimate military targets.
Kuwait, Letter dated 28 January 1991 to the President of the UN Security Council, UN Doc. S/22164, 28 January 1991, p. 1.
In 1991, in a report submitted to the UN Security Council on operations in the Gulf War, the United Kingdom stated that it had targeted Iraq’s fixed and mobile SCUD missile launchers and its chemical and biological warfare installations, production and storage capability.
In another such report, the United Kingdom stated that it had attacked “elements of the Iraqi air defence system” and specified that “the Royal Air Force [had] attacked surface-to-air missile sites, artillery positions, ammunition storage and Silkworm surface-to-surface missile sites”.
President Bush announced at 3.15 this morning on behalf of the coalition that operations had begun with attacks on selected targets of military importance. Those attacks were carried out by coalition aircraft and cruise missiles on more than one target in the vicinity of Baghdad, following information relating to the whereabouts of very senior members of the Iraqi leadership. Those leaders are at the very heart of Iraq’s command and control system, responsible for directing Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction.
In addition to those attacks, coalition forces yesterday carried out certain preliminary operations against Iraqi artillery, surface-to-surface missiles, and air defence systems within the southern no-fly zone. Those were prudent preparatory steps, using coalition air capabilities previously used in the no-fly zones, designed to reduce the threat to coalition forces in Kuwait. The protection of our servicemen and women is a matter of paramount importance.
United Kingdom, House of Commons, Statements by the Secretary of State for Defence, Hansard, 20 March 2003, Vol. 401, Debates, col. 1087.
In 1985, in a report on violations of the laws of war in Nicaragua, Americas Watch listed “weapons [and] other war materiel” as objects which “can arguably be regarded as legitimate military objectives subject to direct attack”.
In 1989, in a report on violations of the laws of war in Angola, Africa Watch listed “weapons and other war material” as objects which “may be regarded as legitimate military objectives subject to direct attack by combatants and mines”.
Africa Watch, Angola: Violations of the Laws of War by Both Sides, New York, April 1989, p. 139.

References: § 5
 § 6
 § 8
 § 613
 § 9
 § 47
 § 407
 § 833
 § 121
 § 5