Ukraine officially introduces UAV operator specialty for detecting explosive devices – Ministry of Defense
Ukraine is officially introducing a new category of operators—external pilots of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) who will conduct aerial reconnaissance and detect explosive devices.
This was reported by Censor.NET, citing the press service of the Ministry of Defense.
The relevant standard, DSTU 8820-4:2025 "Mine Action. Management Processes. Part 4. Mechanized Demining Processes," has been approved by the National Standardization Body of Ukraine. The document establishes key principles and requirements for the use of mechanized demining equipment (MDE) in clearing territories of explosive ordnance. It will come into force on May 1, 2025.
In addition, with the implementation of this standard:
- Regulates the use of various types of mechanized demining equipment (MDE), ranging from soil processing tools to equipment for detecting and neutralizing explosive devices.
- Establishes requirements for MDE operators, including their training and certification.
- Standardizes safety measures for operating the equipment, including remote and autonomous control.
- Aligns the national regulatory framework with International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).
According to the Ministry of Defense, a special training ground is planned to be set up to test mechanized demining equipment. This will ensure that the equipment is tested in real conditions, increasing the efficiency of its use.
