The UN World Food Program has acquired three Ukrainian-made demining vehicles of the Kharkiv region.

It is reported by Militarnyi with reference to the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration.

Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravainyi, representatives of the UN World Food Program and the Swiss Mine Action Fund FSD Ukraine, as well as Deputy Head of the Kharkiv RMA Yevhenii Ivanov took part in the transfer of the first vehicle.

Reportedly, the UN World Food Program acquired three vehicles for preparing the soil for mine clearance, which were developed in Kharkiv.

The first vehicle was tested and already handed over to the sappers units of FSD Ukraine that are clearing the Kharkiv region.

Two more vehicles are under construction, they will be transferred later.

“The development and manufacture of such demining vehicles is a positive example of cooperation between business, state and international partners, the creation of competitive products of Ukrainian production,” said Ihor Bezkaravainyi.

The Kharkiv RMA emphasized that the main advantage of the domestic vehicle for preparing the soil for demining over foreign analogues was the simplicity of the design, which made it possible to carry out operational repairs when detonated on explosive objects. The price of one vehicle is UAH 5.6 million.

“I am grateful to our permanent partners from the UN World Food Program, FAO and FSD for strengthening pyrotechnic units, speeding up the pace of demining of the Kharkiv region and confidence in the Ukrainian manufacturer,” said Yevhenii Ivanov.

According to him, Kharkiv region is one of the most mined regions of Ukraine, so demining is a priority for the region.

As previously reported, the first domestic vehicle for preparing the soil for demining, created by Kharkiv manufacturers, arrived to the rescuers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in October last year.

The vehicle operates remotely, at a distance of 300 meters, so that there is no threat for people. To do this, an operator uses a remote control. The total weight of a machine reaches 16 tons, and the operational speed is 3-4 km/h.