Ukraine presented new technologies for underwater mine clearance

The event was organized by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine with the support of UNDP and funding from the Republic of Korea.

A presentation of modern underwater mine clearance equipment was held in the Lviv region as part of the “Security Depth 2025” conference. This was reported by Ukrinform.

During the event, domestic and foreign technologies for detecting, identifying and neutralizing explosive objects underwater were demonstrated.

Among the presented developments were an active sensing frame for silted water bodies, an underwater metal detector, a surface drone with a camera and GPS, a Canadian underwater drone Deep Trekker, a platform boat “Gulfstream” for divers and drone launches, pyrotechnics for underwater demining, a UAV for 3D mapping of water areas, as well as an autonomous underwater vehicle BR1 with 3D sonar.

“Today, we are not only adopting foreign experience, but also forming our own. Ukrainian specialists already have something to share with international partners,” said Yevhen Makarov, Deputy Head of the Mine Action Department of the National Institute of Civil Protection of Ukraine.

Currently, the State Emergency Service uses 16 Deep Trekker underwater drones, which allow for reconnaissance and demining of explosives without the direct participation of divers.

“This significantly increases the safety of work – people do not risk their lives while searching for ammunition underwater,” the specialist emphasized.

By the beginning of 2026, it is planned to provide all regional units of the State Emergency Service with such drones.

Ukrainian engineers have only been actively working on creating their own underwater demining systems for the past two to three years. Domestic solutions are currently undergoing testing and are being prepared for practical use.

Among the main challenges, experts name the lack of a state standard for underwater demining, the influence of seasonality and water transparency, as well as the lack of modern technical means.

“Three years ago, we did not have a single underwater vehicle. Today, we already have a whole system of solutions that is developing every month,” Makarov concluded.

Earlier, USM wrote that Ukraine is ready to share its experience in using drones for maritime security.