Modern humanitarian demining increasingly relies on the integration of multiple technologies — mechanical systems, UAVs, robotic platforms, sensors, digital data and the professional expertise of mine action personnel. UTTC Technology Week 2026 provided a practical platform for testing these solutions in Ukraine.
Practical technology testing
UTTC Technology Week 2026 was held at the Ukrainian Training and Testing Complex in Lviv Oblast. The event was organised by UNDP in Ukraine together with Ukraine's Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, with support from the Government of Luxembourg.
Over two days, participants demonstrated and tested technologies in conditions designed to closely replicate real operational environments.
Solutions included:
- mechanical demining machines;
- robotic systems;
- unmanned aerial vehicles;
- advanced sensor and engineering technologies;
- personal protective equipment;
- medical solutions supporting demining teams.
Ukrainian and international developers
The event featured Ukrainian developers alongside manufacturers from Australia, Croatia, Germany, Italy and Sweden.
Around 350 people attended, including representatives of 140 organisations, more than 50 technology companies and developers, and 22 mine action operators. International representatives from more than ten countries also participated.
The format allowed operators not only to see new equipment but also to assess its practical suitability for real mine action operations.
An integrated process rather than a single technology
One of the central messages of the event was that effective humanitarian demining depends not on any single technology, but on how different systems are integrated into one operational process.
Data collected by UAVs can support planning, robotic systems can assist with specific tasks in hazardous areas, and mechanical assets can support land preparation and clearance operations.
The Technological Relay demonstrated this approach in practice, with teams of mine action operators working through operational scenarios and selecting appropriate technologies for each task.
Technology must prove itself in practice
The event focused not only on the capabilities of equipment but also on practical application, standardisation and integration with other parts of mine action operations.
Demonstrations included controlled explosions, operation of demining machines and robotic systems, UAV-based solutions and tests of advanced sensor and engineering technologies.
Practical testing is essential for determining which solutions can genuinely improve the safety, speed and effectiveness of humanitarian demining.
People remain central to mine action
Despite the increasing role of automation and robotics, people remain at the centre of the process.
Specialists analyse information, determine appropriate operational methods, control equipment and make decisions based on the conditions of each site.
Technology is therefore best viewed as a tool that helps specialists perform particular tasks more safely and efficiently rather than replacing professional judgement.
Technology development in Ukraine
The scale of explosive contamination in Ukraine creates a continuing need to improve methods of survey and clearance.
UTTC Technology Week reflects the sector's move toward an integrated approach in which equipment, digital data, standards and trained specialists work together as one operational system.
PSM Ukraine Group incorporates modern technological solutions into an integrated humanitarian demining process — from survey and clearance to mapping and documentation of operational results.
