Agricultural land clearance: spring sowing season begins on demined fields
July 16, 2024
The American company Tetra Tech, which is the implementing partner of one of the international technical assistance projects for Ukraine funded by the Governments of the United States and Canada, handed over to the State Special Transport Service (SSTS) four GCS-100 demining machines with a set of attachments, tractors for transporting demining machines, and other equipment.
The equipment was provided within the framework of the "RESPOND" project, which supports the development of humanitarian demining capabilities in Ukraine. The total value of the transferred equipment is several million dollars.
"The United States and Canada remain committed to supporting Ukraine in clearing its territories from explosive ordnance. This equipment will enable the State Special Transport Service to significantly increase the pace and efficiency of demining work," said the head of the Tetra Tech project in Ukraine.
The GCS-100 demining machines are designed for mechanical preparation of territories for clearance. They process soil to a depth sufficient to detonate or destroy most types of mines and explosive ordnance. Each machine is equipped with a set of interchangeable attachments for working in different conditions — from open fields to areas with dense vegetation.
The tractors for transporting demining machines will enable the rapid redeployment of heavy demining equipment between work sites, which is critical for the efficient use of limited resources.
The personnel of the State Special Transport Service who will operate the new equipment have undergone specialised training conducted by Tetra Tech specialists. The training included both theoretical preparation and practical exercises in real field conditions.
"We are grateful to our American and Canadian partners for the systematic support. This equipment significantly enhances our capabilities for clearing territories from explosive ordnance and returning land to safe use," noted the representative of the State Special Transport Service.
The State Special Transport Service is one of the key participants in humanitarian demining in Ukraine, working in the most contaminated regions of the country.
