In August 2024, Rovertech completed an important milestone in the development of its product. The first batch of “Zmiy” (Zmiy) v1.2 mine-clearing drones passed certification by the State Scientific Research Institute of Testing and Certification of Arms and Military Equipment (SSRI) in Cherkasy according to Resolution No. 271 of the CMU. This makes “Zmiy” the first rotor mine-clearing drone in Ukraine certified for humanitarian demining.
GRCS “Zmiy” successfully passed field tests, demonstrating its ability to operate in low and medium vegetation conditions and excellent results in destroying anti-personnel mines such as PMN-2, PMN-4, PFM-1, OZM-72, and anti-tank mines such as TM-62. “Zmiy” neutralizes explosive devices with an impact rotor mechanism.
During the tests, the mine-clearing drones were tested on different tracks with various surfaces: gravel, soil, vegetation, sand, and wood. “We were pleasantly surprised that ‘Zmiy’ was the only machine among those presented at the range that successfully passed and cleared the difficult sandy section of the track,” noted Borys Drozhak, one of the developers.
The simplicity of operation and repair of the domestic mine-clearing machine is also important. Thanks to the modular structure of the device, components can be quickly replaced and the machine can be returned to the field rapidly. The shaft can be replaced in 30 minutes, and the deployment or retraction of the complex takes no more than 15 minutes. The demining speed reaches up to 1.6 km/h. The mine-clearing machine can be transported on a car trailer, and it has the dimensions and maneuverability of an off-road vehicle and weighs up to 1 ton. GRCS “Zmiy” can maintain communication with the operator at a distance of nearly 3 km. All these features allow it to operate in areas inaccessible to other demining machines.
“Today we have received not just another 100% Ukrainian mine-clearing machine. The Rovertech (Rover Tech) team has managed to create a light, fast machine that can withstand anti-tank mine explosions. Such innovations are Ukraine’s response to the challenge we face: to return 80% of the land to productive use in 10 years. It is especially important that the machine is made in Ukraine, as it means new jobs, budget revenues, and support for the economy,” said First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.
In addition to its functionality, “Zmiy” is also economically advantageous. Its cost is significantly lower than foreign counterparts—ranging from $14,500 to $20,000 depending on the configuration—making it an affordable solution for widespread use in both humanitarian and combat demining.
Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Ihor Bezkaraivainyi, added: “In fact, we have received a new subclass of demining machine that can quickly clear fields of mines, significantly reducing risks for sappers.”
The certification of “Zmiy” opens up opportunities for its use at various stages of land clearance from mines, contributing to safety and the restoration of productive use of Ukrainian lands.
