Ukroboronprom, KSE hunt for ideas to pace up demining efforts

The Ukroboronprom defense industry conglomerate together with the Kyiv School of Economics are launching a program to find and implement innovations in humanitarian mine action in Ukraine, inviting the teams behind all promising projects to take part in the campaign.

That’s according to Ukroboronprom’s press service.

"Land contamination by mines and projectiles is a challenge for businesses, especially in agriculture. Currently, 174,000 square kilometers remain potentially dangerous territories, which is 30% of the total area of Ukraine. The acceleration of humanitarian demining will allow saving people's lives, restoring the usual scale of business activities, support Ukraine's economy and global food security," the statement reads.

It is noted that the first stage of the program will start on December 20-23 with intensive immersion training, combined with a practical part. Ukroboronprom experts will talk about the nuances of the regulatory framework, general classification of ammunition, available technologies and means of disposal. At the same time, participants will test their projects at a specialized training ground.

At the final stage of the program, the best innovations will be implemented both independently and in cooperation with partners, including international actors. Experts from Ukroboronprom, the Kyiv School of Economics, Ministry of Defense, State Emergency Service will provide mentoring support. Monetary grants are also foreseen. The forum and acceleration stages are scheduled for the first half of 2023.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Ukroboronprom had created a prototype of a product for burning through metal, SF-1, visually resembling a pencil, that can be used in demining.

Photo: Ministry of Reintegration of Ukraine