Freienbach – Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) recently signed a multimillion-euro contract to supply the German Army with advanced equipment aimed at expanding route and mine clearance operations. The army has secured four GCS-200s, which are remote-controlled, multi-purpose platforms capable of withstanding and destroying large-scale explosive threats.

The production facility where the GCS-200 is engineered.

Procurement also includes related attachments such as the Manipulator (M-200) and the Bucket Gripper Tool (BGT-200), both newly developed to optimise performance and efficiency. This comes after a series of assessments to ensure that these devices are capable of meeting German military standards.

Chief Executive Philipp von Michaelis says, "This contract is the result of a long-term and trusted partnership, which indicates a vote of confidence for GCS by the NATO-aligned military." Around 2010 the team then working under the brand MineWolf Systems received a contract to supply seven MW240s to the Bundeswehr – two of which were deployed to strengthen Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) operations in Afghanistan. The company restarted its operations as GCS in 2015 and developed a new product array focused on the removal and disposal of conflict-linked explosives. The GCS-200 thus evolved into a mechanically enhanced version of the MW240.

The two-year deal is a milestone for GCS and underlines the company's ability to produce a range of high-tech IEDD and demining equipment. Work has already commenced at GCS' production site in Stockach, Germany, as delivery of the first two systems is scheduled for October this year.

GCS' cutting-edge products have led to the clearance of Anti-Tank (AT) and Anti-Personnel (AP) mines, removal of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and disposal of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in numerous countries across the globe. While conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war continue to highlight the damaging impact of explosive hazards, effective demining equipment and related operations are essential to support the rebuilding of critical infrastructure and ensure safer living conditions in war-torn regions.