Ukrainian MV-4 demining machine holds certificate of conformity: what are its features

The press service of Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy shared the information.

In early April, the MV-4 light demining machine was tested at a training ground on three types of soil (sand, gravel, black soil) and an area with dense vegetation. The machine withstood a series of explosions of about 600 grams of TNT equivalent.

Due to its low profile and robust design, the vehicle is resistant to detonations of anti-personnel mines and unexploded ordnance. The MV-4 can withstand an anti-tank mine explosion. It is used for mechanical ground preparation and demining, mechanical inspection of the territory and its clearing, and removal of objects. The vehicle can clear an area of up to 1,500 square meters in an hour. It is controlled by a remote control with a range of up to 1,500 meters.

Ukraine seeks to develop its own production of demining equipment. This creates additional jobs, the Ministry of Economy noted.

“The assembly and localization of demining equipment in Ukraine speeds up the repair or replacement of parts in the event of an explosion in the fields. In addition, it simplifies access to equipment for humanitarian demining operators, of whom we already have almost 40 and more are undergoing certification,” said Deputy Minister of Economy Ihor Bezkaravainyi.

What is known about demining in Ukraine

In March 2023, the UNDP said that the area of mined territory in Ukraine was 4.5 times the size of Switzerland.

In August, the Ministry of Economy said that it hoped to clear 80% of the land and return it to use in 10 years.

In the same month, Ukraine's first domestically produced demining machine received a certificate of conformity. This development allows for the effective disposal of anti-personnel and detection of anti-tank mines.

On September 22, it became known that Ukraine would launch a market for humanitarian demining services through Prozorro.

In January, sappers inspected over 21,000 hectares of agricultural land for explosives, most of it in the Kherson region.

To accelerate demining in Ukraine, the government introduced a single unified certification procedure for mine action operators at a meeting on February 2.

On February 22, Ukraine unveiled its third domestic demining vehicle.

On February 29, the State Emergency Service announced that 156,000 km² of territory in Ukraine is potentially mined. The most heavily mined areas are the Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Kherson regions.

In early March, it became known that the government would compensate farmers for 80% of demining costs.

On March 29, Ukraine’s Minister of Economy said that the country, together with the American corporation Palantir, is working on developing a demining system using artificial intelligence. It is to be presented in the summer.