Ukrainian company Pozhmashina announced a cooperation agreement with Denmark’s Hydrema, the world leader in demining machinery production.
The agreement was signed between Pozhmashina CEO Oleh Averyanov and his counterpart at Hydrema Jan Werner Jensen during the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 in London. The memorandum of understanding entails the localization of part of the production of the Danish HYDREMA910 demining machine in Ukraine.
The HYDREMA910 vehicle has been widely used by NATO countries and has demonstrated its effectiveness in various conflict zones, including Afghanistan.
The collaboration aims to expedite the demining process in Ukraine’s territories. Currently, about 30% of Ukraine’s land, equivalent to 8 million hectares of farmland, is contaminated by mines. By enabling production, training, operation, and maintenance within Ukraine, the agreement seeks to accelerate clearance efforts.
According to Dmytro Kysylevskyy, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Economic Development, if the Ukrainian Cabinet orders the equipment, the Danish government will provide funding, including grants, to fulfill the needs of Ukrainian services for such equipment.
This collaboration has been described as a crucial step towards Ukraine’s recovery, as it allows foreign partners to provide demining technologies while Ukraine contributes production facilities and workforce, benefiting both parties.
The localization of production is a central aspect of Ukraine’s economic recovery strategy, focusing on creating job opportunities, fostering economic growth, and facilitating post-war reconstruction.
In October 2022, Pozhmashina had previously announced the resumption of production at its plant after relocating its main facilities from Chernihiv Oblast in northern Ukraine.