Latest News
January -March 2025
Stay informed with the most up-to-date developments in the Explosive Ordnance (EO) sector. From breakthroughs in technology to critical global updates, this column delivers timely insights that matter.
EOKHUB team
Photo credit | Mohammed Saber
#1 March2025 USA/Israel
US Approves Significant Military Equipment Sale to IsraelThe US State Department has greenlit a substantial military equipment package to Israel, including:• 45,000 bombs (featuring Mk-84, BLU-117, and I-2000 Penetrator warheads)• 5,000 JDAM precision-guidance kits• Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozers package worth $295MThe deal, valued at over $675.7M for munitions alone, represents one of the largest recent military equipment transfers. Deliveries are scheduled between 2026-2028.Notable is the inclusion of D9 bulldozers, which have proven crucial in military operations. These machines, when equipped with advanced protection systems, are recognized as among the most heavily armored bulldozers globally.
News is the first rough draft of history."
#2 March 2025 Etiopia
ETHIOPIA'S DRONE WARFARE CREATES UNPRECEDENTED EOD CHALLENGES
Ethiopia's drone warfare has reached a critical turning point, with civilian casualties exceeding 1,000 since 2021, according to a new European Council on Foreign Relations report. The conflict has inflicted massive infrastructure damage, forcing 4,000 schools to close and causing $20B in war-related damages.
The rapid deployment of Turkish TB2 and Chinese Wing Loong platforms marks a significant shift in African conflict dynamics, creating complex new challenges for EOD professionals.
Full report: https://ecfr.eu/publication/deadly-skies-drone-warfare-in-ethiopia-and-the-future-of-conflict-in-africa/
F-16 Patrols Ukrainian Skies
#3 March 2025 Ukraine
Ukrainian Air Force Releases First F-16 Combat Footage
First cockpit view from Ukraine's F-16AM Fighting Falcon released, showing combat air patrol over western Ukraine. Aircraft armed with AIM-9L/M Sidewinders, marking operational deployment of Western fighters in Ukrainian service.
#4 February 2025 Laos
UXO Incident Claims Child's Life in Laos
A UXO detonation in Vern Village, Khammouane Province, killed one 13-year-old child and seriously injured another on February 22, 2025. The incident occurred during a routine fishing activity when the children, searching for snails near a village pond, encountered what experts believe was an unexploded cluster munition.
This tragedy adds to Laos's sobering statistics – a country where an estimated 80 million unexploded devices remain from the 270 million cluster munitions dropped during the Indochina War. Since the conflict's end, UXO incidents have claimed over 25,000 victims, with rural communities particularly affected.
#5 March 2025 Russia
Russian EOD Robots: Combat-Validated Upgrades Enhance Field Capabilities
The International Mine Action Center (IMAC) has unveiled significant upgrades to their robotic EOD systems, with improvements directly validated through combat operations. The Uran-6, IMAC's primary robotic platform, now features enhanced armor protection and improved communication systems, adapting to real-world operational demands.
"The robot allows for creating passages through minefields and conducting comprehensive clearance of terrain from explosive objects," states Colonel Oleg Kryzhanovsky, Head of IMAC, in his recent interview.
The expanded robotic fleet now includes:
Stalker: Heavy complex for anti-tank mine neutralization
Kobra-1600: Urban environment specialist
Scarab/Sphere: Compact systems for confined spaces
Integrated UAVs: Remote detection and charge placement
These developments represent a significant evolution in robotic EOD capabilities, combining enhanced protection with improved operational effectiveness
#6 March 2025 Poland
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on March 7, 2025, that Poland is considering withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty, which bans the use of anti-personnel landmines, as well as the Dublin Convention on cluster munitions. Tusk stated that this decision is driven by security concerns, particularly in the context of potential threats from Russia.
#7 March 7, 2025
WWII UXO Discovery Brings Major European Rail Hub to a Standstill
A World War II unexploded ordnance discovered near Paris's Gare du Nord station has halted international rail services across three nations. The UXO, unearthed during routine earth-moving work in the Seine-Saint-Denis region on March 7, 2025, prompted immediate evacuation and service suspension at Europe's busiest rail hub.
French police minesweeping teams, following protocols established since the pioneering work of Major Stuart Archer during WWII, are conducting technical assessment and clearance operations. The discovery has particularly significant implications given Gare du Nord's status as a critical infrastructure point serving 700,000 daily passengers through connections to London, Brussels, and the Netherlands.
The incident highlights the persistent challenge of managing WWII-era UXO in urban environments and emphasizes the crucial need for thorough risk assessments during infrastructure projects in historically affected areas. As EOD teams work to resolve the situation, their efforts demonstrate the continuing relevance of established WWII clearance methodologies in modern urban EOD operations.
Link: https://news.sky.com/story/eurostar-trains-between-paris-and-london-cancelled-after-unexploded-wwii-bomb-found-13323152
#8 March 19, 2025
Humanitarian Mine Action Operations Under Fire: MAG Member Injured in Gaza Incident
In a stark reminder of the dangers faced by EOD personnel in conflict zones, a 51-year-old member MAG was among those injured in a significant incident at a UNOPS facility in Deir al-Balah, hashtag#Gaza, on March 19, 2025.An incident occurred around 7:05 AM EDT, resulting in the death of one UN staff member and injuries to five others, including a MAG (Mines Advisory Group) operative. MAG's role in Gaza has been vital for tackling the immediate threats posed by UXO and supporting humanitarian demining efforts in the region.The injured MAG staff member was transported to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital along with other casualties. For the EO community, this event serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of implementing robust safety protocols and conducting thorough risk assessments. It also highlights the need for enhanced protection measures for humanitarian personnel operating in conflict zones.The incident is currently under investigation. If you have any relevant information, feel free to share it. Source: https://lnkd.in/eAhPcYRx
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