The mine action community is increasingly aware of the benefits of mechanical demining equipment in the field. Appropriate application of mechanical demining equipment leads to cost-effective clearance and, as a result, to the safe return of cleared land to communities. The argument about whether mechanical demining equipment assists manual demining or whether manual demining supports demining machines does not contribute to the efficiency of mine clearance. Mine action must become cheaper, faster, more effective and safer. All assets used for mine clearance have shown their reliability and the decision about which assets to apply is still a key element in planning a demining operation. But it is beyond doubt that a well-balanced mechanical component can greatly improve the effectiveness of a mine action programme.

This Catalogue describes three categories of machines: mine clearance machines, ground preparation machines and mine protected vehicles – as defined by the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) on Mechanical Demining 09.50 (in the introductory chapter).

The Catalogue’s introduction also includes a checklist of guidelines for purchasing a mechanical demining machine.