The EU has donated a 20-ton remote-controlled mine clearance machine to Armenia. This was reported by the government.
"A new gift from the EU has arrived in Armenia — a remote-controlled mine clearance machine weighing about 20 tons. It will assist in humanitarian mine clearance operations in areas deemed dangerous within the republic.
The machines will also be used in the delimitation process of the state border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan," the government stated on its Facebook page.
According to the government, the first of two mine clearance machines was handed over on July 8, 2026, during an official ceremony held in Yerevan.
"The handover is a significant step towards strengthening Armenia's capabilities to clear areas affected by conflict from mines and unexploded ordnance. The mine clearance machine was provided by the European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments to Armenia's humanitarian mine clearance national civil operator, the Humanitarian Mine Clearance and Expertise Center.
The support provided is part of broader EU initiatives aimed at strengthening Armenia's resilience. In particular, mines and unexploded ordnance continue to pose serious humanitarian and socio-economic challenges in border communities, threatening civilian lives and limiting agricultural land use opportunities.
As part of ongoing EU support in this area, another mine clearance machine is planned to be provided in the fall of 2026, along with two specialized ambulances to further strengthen and expand Armenia's humanitarian mine clearance capabilities. In addition to these new resources, the EU will also provide training, technical expertise, and will contribute to the financing of operational costs for humanitarian mine clearance activities.
"This modern equipment will allow for safer, more efficient, and quicker mine clearance operations, reducing risks for specialists. These mine clearance machines will also be significant for the delimitation process of the state border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan," noted Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan.
"The operation of the mine clearance machine will not only reduce risks but also contribute to socio-economic development," said Edward Petrosyan, director of the Humanitarian Mine Clearance and Expertise Center.
The machine presented today is expected to significantly enhance the quality and speed of mine clearance operations. In practice, this means more effective protection for personnel involved in mine clearance, quicker return of land for civilian use, and overall improvement in the efficiency of humanitarian mine clearance operations.
"With this machine, Armenia will be able to clear border areas more quickly, allowing farmers to return to their lands, families to live without fear, and communities long affected by conflict to once again enjoy the normal course of life," said Peter M. Wagner, head of the European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments.
"The joint efforts of the Armenian authorities and the European Union will contribute to the Armenian people experiencing the benefits of peace, especially in border areas where mine contamination has been a serious challenge for communities," noted Magdalena Grono, EU Special Representative for Crisis Issues in the South Caucasus and Georgia.
"The provision of this mine clearance machine is yet another concrete testament to the EU's support aimed at strengthening Armenia's resilience. By enhancing Armenia's mine clearance capabilities, we contribute to the safety of people and the normalization of life in border areas," said EU Ambassador to Armenia Vasilis Maragos.
