Large areas of Azerbaijan remain affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war as a result of prolonged armed conflict, extensive mine use during the 1990s, renewed hostilities in 2020, and the scale and terrain of affected areas. Legacy contamination, overlapping hazard layers and limited availability of minefield records continue to complicate survey and clearance, making systematic, long‑term explosive‑threat mitigation essential to enable safe land use and recovery. This explosive contamination remains a key constraint to stabilisation, reconstruction and the safe return of displaced populations.
Clearance activities are governed by national authorities and implemented under tightly regulated humanitarian mine action frameworks. GCS supports mine action efforts in Azerbaijan by providing technical expertise, operational support and capacity‑building assistance, contributing to the development of sustainable national clearance capability and the progressive release of contaminated land.
GCS has been engaged in Azerbaijan since 2021 through technical assessment missions, equipment provision and operational support activities conducted in coordination with national authorities. Engagement has focused on supporting nationally led mine action efforts through the provision of mechanical systems, training and operational expertise.
In line with Azerbaijan’s regulatory framework, clearance operations are carried out by nationally registered entities. To support long‑term, in‑country capability and continuity, GCS participates in a local joint structure with Delta Clearance Solutions that enables sustained national operations while ensuring access to international technical standards, systems and experience.
This model allows GCS to contribute specialist expertise while reinforcing national ownership of humanitarian mine action activities.
Nationally regulated mine action environment
Humanitarian demining in Azerbaijan is coordinated and overseen by the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA). Clearance activities follow nationally approved standards and integrated clearance methodologies, combining manual clearance, mechanical assets and mine detection dogs. GCS supports compliant operations through technical input, systems integration and operational mentoring rather than acting as a stand‑alone international operator.
Mechanical demining and ground preparation
Mechanical clearance plays a central role in Azerbaijan’s mine action approach, particularly in large rural areas, former defensive lines and agricultural land affected by dense contamination. GCS has supported the deployment, testing and operation of mechanical demining systems adapted to local soil conditions and threat profiles. Mechanical assets are used for vegetation clearance, ground preparation and mine neutralisation, increasing efficiency and enabling follow‑on manual and intrusive survey activities.
Integrated clearance approaches
Clearance tasks typically involve a combination of mechanical processing, manual demining and intrusive survey, supported by digital mapping and quality management processes. GCS provides advisory and technical support across this integrated approach, ensuring that equipment, methodology and operational planning are aligned with national standards and site‑specific conditions. Operations address a mix of anti‑personnel and anti‑vehicle mines, as well as unexploded ordnance remaining from prolonged periods of conflict.
Capacity building and workforce development
A core element of GCS’ engagement in Azerbaijan is the development of sustainable national clearance capacity. This includes structured training, mentoring and operational support for national personnel involved in mechanical, manual and supervisory roles.
International specialists support training and initial operational set‑up, while responsibility for day‑to‑day clearance activities is progressively assumed by national teams. This approach supports long‑term self‑sufficiency and continuity within Azerbaijan’s mine action sector.
Local presence and operational continuity
To ensure consistent in‑country presence and operational readiness, GCS supports mine action activities in Azerbaijan through a locally established clearance entity, Delta Clearance Solutions, enabling national operations while maintaining access to international systems, technical support and specialist expertise.
This structure supports long‑term engagement, regulatory compliance and the gradual transfer of technical responsibility to nationally led teams.
GCS maintains an operational footprint in Azerbaijan through locally established structures supporting nationally led clearance activities, with technical oversight, training and systems support provided by GCS specialists. Operational activities are coordinated in line with national mine action authorities and project‑specific requirements.
