Organization in focus
Croatian Mine Action Centre – Centre for Testing, Development and Training (HCR-CTRO)
The Croatian Mine Action Centre – Centre for Testing, Development and Training (HCR-CTRO) is a limited liability company based in Zagreb, Croatia, dedicated to advancing mine action through testing, R&D, and training.It was established in 2003 by the Croatian Mine Action Centre (CROMAC) in response to the growing demand for humanitarian demining in Croatia. Recognizing the need for a dedicated entity to provide testing and certification of mine action equipment, as well as training for key stakeholders - CROMAC , Ministry of Defence and private companies – but also for the countries in the region of Southeast Europe. The Centre quickly expanded its reach beyond the region and within just a few years, HCR-CTRO established itself as a global leader in mine action, enhancing safety and efficiency in mine-affected areas worldwide.The company is managed by Director Katarina Markt, under whose leadership CTRO continues to expand its services and impact, maintaining a strong commitment to quality and excellence. By adhering to international standards and continuously improving its operational capabilities, HCR-CTRO plays a crucial role in advancing mine action efforts on a global scale.
Core activities of CTRO are:⦁ Testing and certification of mine action equipment⦁ Training for mine action managers and operational staff⦁ R&D and validation of new mine action technologies and techniques⦁ Transfer of expertise and experience to other mine affected countries
HCR-CTRO is the only company in the Republic of Croatia accredited by the Croatian Accreditation Agency to conduct certification of demining machines, metal detectors, mine detection dogs and personal protective equipment. To maintain its accreditation, the company undergoes annual evaluations and a reaccreditation process every five years. CTRO’s certificate of conformity is highly valued and recognized internationally and it is often a prerequisite in international public tenders for the procurement and operation of demining machines.
By testing new equipment and conducting annual retesting, HCR-CTRO ensures that demining tools remain fully functional and efficient throughout their lifespan, compelling owners to perform regular maintenance. This proactive approach directly enhances safety, reduces occupational casualties, and contributes to faster, more cost-effective, and safer demining operations.
CTRO is dedicated to assembling top-notch professionals in mine action while securing a leading role in testing, research, development, and training. The organization specializes in testing demining machines, mine detection dogs, metal detectors, and personal protective equipment. Additionally, it provides expert training and knowledge transfer to support mine-affected countries in organizing and managing mine action activities effectively.
Recognizing the importance of skilled personnel in mine action, CTRO provides comprehensive training programs, including:Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD 1 – 3+) - specialised courses designed to equip individuals with expertise and skills to safely detect and neutralise explosive ordnances.Specialist Courses - tailored training for various mine action professionals, including worksite managers, worksite leaders, QA/QC officers, airborne NTS operators and mine risk education instructors.
Since launching its training courses in 2007, CTRO has trained personnel from national mine action centres, ministries of interior and defence, NGOs, and private companies across Southeast Europe. Over time, its reach has expanded to Asia, Africa, and South America, covering areas such as EOD training, legal framework, QA/QC procedures, planning, prioritizing, certification and test-site establishment. Training courses for international trainees are conducted with interpretation into their mother tongue and can be held either in Croatia or in their home country.
The courses are led by a team of highly experienced and professional lecturers with extensive expertise in mine action. Upon successful completion of the training, verified through knowledge examination, participants receive an internationally recognized certificate of completion.
EOD training programs, ranging from Level 1 to 3+, are conducted in accordance with IMAS 09.30 and Test and Evaluation Protocol 09.30/01/2022: Conventional EOD Competency Standards, ensuring alignment with global best practices.In addition to training courses, CTRO provides transfer of knowledge and experience through workshops.
It is currently in the final phase of an EU-funded project “Comprehensive Support to the National Mine Action Sector in Ukraine”. In partnership with the Directorate of Civil Protection, CTRO leads activities within Component 2, “Support for Strengthening Humanitarian Mine Action in Ukraine”, focusing on capacity-building for national mine action operators in Ukraine through strategic and technical advisory services on integrated mine action management.
CTRO actively engages in the field testing and evaluation of mine detection technologies and participates in cutting-edge R&D projects.
Its Scientific Council, composed of university professors from various technical disciplines, contributes expertise to advance existing detection and clearance technologies and develop new ones.
CTRO has been involved in research initiatives funded by the Croatian Government, the EU, NATO and ITF Enhancing Human Security. Currently, it is a partner in two projects funded by the European Defence Fund. The first is AIDEDEx, which involves research of multi-robotic systems with state-of-the-art sensors and AI algorithms for detection and classification of IEDs, UXOs and landmines. The second one is GENIUS, developing enhanced technologies intended to combat IEDs and UXOs in response to new and evolving threats.
System establishment, capacity building and training for remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) survey in mine action:
Building a technical operational system
Developing Standard Operating Procedures
Training surveyors on operating RPAS to serve their needs
CTRO manages two test sites, one in Cerovac near Karlovac and the other in Benkovac near Zadar.
The Cerovac test site is used for testing and certification of demining machines, mine detection dogs, metal detectors, personal protective equipment and new technologies.Testing and certification of demining machines:
- Machine performance tests are conducted in three lanes established in line with the Test and Evaluation Protocol, Machines (supersedes CWA 15044:2004)- Survivability tests are conducted with live AP and AT mines- Vegetation Clearance tests
The mines are buried in 47 lanes in 2 parts:- 39 lanes are intended for blind tests and their content is unchangeable- 8 lanes are intended for open test and, in addition to their existing content, other targets may be added depending on the testing requirements.The test site has an air-conditioned office space with electricity and running water and it is 35 kilometres away from Zadar airport and 20 kilometres from the seaside, which makes it easily accessible.
Testing and certification of mine detection dogs:- 68 test boxes established in line with IMAS 07.31- 6 kennels for acclimatization of dogs before testing
The Benkovac test site covers 10,000 square meters and is designed for testing and evaluating handheld mine detection systems, robotic systems, UAV-mounted systems and biological detection methods.It is a globally unique test site containing 1000 AP and AT landmines buried in the year 2000. The mines contain explosives, but the firing chain was interrupted, and as such provide realistic targets like those in an actual minefield. It also contains UXO items and metal fragments.
Since their establishment, the test sites have been used for certification activities, but also for research projects and testing of promising new technologies. Here are some of them:
TIRAMISU (Toolbox Implementation for Removal of Antipersonnel Mines, Submunitions and UXO, 2012 – 2015), funded by the European Union within the 7th Framework Program (FP7). Within the project, CTRO has enhanced and operationally validated its existing aerial survey technology, both at test sites and in real minefields. At the time, data collection was conducted via helicopter due to UAVs' limited autonomy and payload capacity. The project also explored the use of bees as a biosensor for mine detection in quality control and validated tools developed by other project partners.
Mine Action After the Floods – One of CTRO’s first UAV-based projects, this initiative, funded by the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, assessed the movement of landmines following severe floods in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia.
Biological Methods (Bees) for Explosive Detection (2017 – 2021) – Funded by NATO’s Science for Peace and Security Programme. The major objective was to develop innovative methods and technologies for detection of landmines, using trained bee colonies.
The research integrated:
- organic semiconductor-based explosive vapor sensing films- UAVs with high-definition and thermal imaging cameras- image processing and analysis software.
From 2019 to 2024, several UAV detection systems were tested at the Benkovac test site, including technologies from German companies SeaTerra, Sensys and FindMine, Norwegian company KONTUR, and a company MineKafon in collaboration with GICHD. Additionally, in recent years, the University of Manchester and the Faculty of Electronic Engineering and Computing from Zagreb conducted research and testing of their metal detector/GPR systems.
CTRO was established during Croatia’s large-scale demining efforts, initially focusing on national needs before expanding its services globally. As Croatia approaches its 2026 deadline for meeting the Ottawa Convention requirements and completes its demining operations, CTRO will shift its primary focus to global mine action efforts. Leveraging its expertise, experience, and professional staff, CTRO aims to support conflict-affected regions by mitigating the consequences of war and ensuring safer environments worldwide.
CTRO: A REALIBLE PARTNER WITH REFERENCES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD!
