GCS Ukraine General Manager writes in an opinion piece for Ukrainian newspaper Eprava this month of his experience creating conditions for local capacity building in demining, both in operations and as a result of our Service and Maintenance workshop in Kyiv.

“In the field of humanitarian demining, localisation is of particular importance. This is not just an economic tool, it is a matter of national security, life and security of citizens. Imagine the situation: the demining machine breaks down, and the wait for spare parts lasts for months.”

GCS has invested more than 2 million Euros in Ukraine since 2022, opening an office, service centre and warehouse in Kyiv. This has made it possible to reduce the repair time of machines by several weeks.

Looking ahead, GCS plans to increase investments, expanding the geography of operations and developing infrastructure for humanitarian demining further.

The benefits are wide-ranging, as Dmytro notes: “Localisation allows you to quickly solve issues of maintenance and repair of equipment, and also ensures a quick supply of parts and materials. This minimises downtime and allows the equipment to run smoothly.”

Our commitment to creating safe environments in Ukraine is resolute and long-term: “Localisation of foreign manufacturers of demining equipment is not just an economical solution. It should be a strategic step for the reconstruction of Ukraine and a contribution to its security and economy. This is an opportunity not only to clear our land of explosive objects, but also to build a strong and independent Ukraine,” concludes Dmytro.