Croatia and Denmark to Localize Production of Demining Machines in Ukraine

World manufacturers of mine clearance machines from Denmark and Croatia have announced the localization of their production in Ukraine. 

Deputy Head of the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Development, Dmitro Kysylevsky, reported this, as per MMR.

Two significant memoranda were signed in London regarding the establishment of production of modern mine clearance equipment in Ukraine. The company "Pozhmashina" is preparing to commence production in collaboration with the Danish leader in mine clearance machines, Hydrema. Additionally, the enterprise "A3TECH-Ukraine" has reached an agreement on equipment production using the technologies of the Croatian company, DOK-ING, as stated by Kysylevsky.

This development brings prospects of reducing the cost of such essential equipment for Ukraine. Localizing the production of mine clearance machines will enable prompt resolution of maintenance and repair issues, as well as swift supply of necessary components. This will contribute to addressing one of the current key tasks, namely demining the territory of our state and returning agricultural land to economic use.

"Ukraine will become a leading platform for the production and testing of cutting-edge mine clearance technology. We possess significant professional and technical potential to achieve success in this field," emphasized the Ministry of Economy.

The number of territories in Ukraine contaminated with mines, cluster munitions, and explosive objects has significantly increased since the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022. The total area of mined territories in Ukraine due to Russian aggression amounts to 174,000 square kilometers, which is twice the size of Austria.

All these contaminated areas pose a direct threat to the civilian population, necessitating humanitarian demining measures. To safely and effectively clear them, specialized equipment is urgently required, including mechanical cleaning equipment.

Earlier, it was reported by The Gaze, that Switzerland announced a new package of humanitarian assistance for demining Ukrainian territories worth 1.2 million euros. The transfer of aid will be organized by the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports of Switzerland (DDPS).

DDPS has already provided the Ukrainian side with a remotely controlled machine for demining territories, developed and manufactured by the non-governmental organization "Digger Foundation." The machine is a remotely controlled tracked vehicle, similar in size to a small bulldozer, capable of neutralizing anti-personnel mines. Additionally, DDPS will deliver a truck with a trailer and a set of spare parts to Kyiv for the next three years.

In turn, professionals from the Digger Foundation will conduct demining training for representatives of the Ukrainian government.