Ukrainian Firm Develops Demining 'Pencil'

Ukroboronprom said specialists have created a prototype of a product for burning metal (VPM) SF-1, outwardly similar to a pencil.

Thanks to its exothermic powder mixture, it effectively burns the metal casings of explosive objects, for example, ammunition. This causes the explosive to burn out. Such a pencil can be used during demining of territories, Ukraine’s state-owned company said in a release.

Developers are already working on the technology of remote use of the SF-1 air defense system with the help of unmanned aerial vehicles. This will improve the quality of demining and save people's lives. It is important that the device is safe to use.

The company-developer of the pencil is an operator of anti-mine activities in Ukraine and received a certificate that gives the right to carry out demining and other operations with explosive objects on the territory of our country.

Also, the Ukroboronprom enterprise has its own Humanitarian Demining Center, which employs high-class specialists. Since 2010, the Center has been accredited by the UN as a provider of mine action services and is a partner of UNMAS, the relevant service of the United Nations.