Ukraine begins using Nikken BM307-V16 demining machines donated by Japan.

As reported by Anton Gerashchenko on November 14, 2024, Ukrainian rescue workers in Zaporizhzhia recently received Nikken's latest BM307-V16 demining machine, provided through cooperation among the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Nikken Corporation. The Japanese machine has been tested under real-life conditions, demonstrating its capability to clear mines.
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The Nikken BM307-V16, based on the Hitachi ZX160 excavator, features a rotary cutter capable of penetrating up to 30 centimeters into the ground to detonate mines. (Picture source: Twitter/Anton Gerashchenko)

On July 9, 2024, a ceremony marked the formal handover of two Nikken BM307-V16 demining machines to Ukraine's State Emergency Service. Attendees included Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs; Matsuda Kuninori, Japan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine; Deputy Ministers Kateryna Pavlichenko and Ihor Bezkaravainyi; Andrii Danyk, Head of Ukraine’s State Emergency Service; Makoto Amemiya, President of Nikken Corporation; and Hideki Matsunaga, JICA Ukraine’s Chief Representative.

Minister Klymenko emphasized the functional value of these machines, highlighting that they represent part of an expanding fleet of mechanized demining equipment in Ukraine, which currently totals 42 units. He stated that by the end of 2024, one-third of this fleet will be sourced from Japan. These machines will be deployed to the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions to address the high density of mine contamination. Additionally, collaboration with Japan includes training Ukrainian EOD specialists and setting up a repair base for the maintenance of the demining equipment.

At the handover event, Ukrainian officials presented destroyed emergency service equipment to Japanese representatives, including bulletproof vests and helmets damaged during operations. The Japanese delegation observed the equipment to understand the operational risks faced by Ukrainian personnel. During the event, Ambassador Matsuda condemned recent missile attacks on civilian targets and reaffirmed Japan's intent to assist Ukraine in ensuring safe, mine-free territories to enable the return of displaced populations. Therefore, the demining machines will play a critical role in ongoing demining efforts, contributing to safer territories and the eventual restoration of agricultural and residential areas.

To date, Japan has provided over $12 billion in financial, humanitarian, and technical assistance to Ukraine since March 2022, including $4.5 billion in 2024. This support has not included weapon deliveries but has focused on infrastructure and safety measures. Nikken's demining technology, designed with adaptability and high performance, forms a key part of this contribution. Its functionality is tailored to varied minefield environments, integrating processes such as brush clearing, mine detonation, and land restoration to enable safer and more efficient clearance operations.

The Nikken BM307-V16, based on the Hitachi ZX160 excavator, features a rotary cutter capable of penetrating up to 30 centimeters into the ground to detonate mines. This model can clear 400 to 800 square meters per hour and is adaptable with additional attachments such as hydraulic hammers, shears, and excavation buckets.

This equipment weighs 16 tons, features 31 teeth that destroy mines buried up to 30 centimeters deep, and has an armored cabin that ensures operator safety during demining activities. The machines are also equipped to prepare farmland, facilitating post-clearance agricultural activities. Nikken developed this technology to improve efficiency, achieving clearance rates 20 to 100 times faster than manual demining methods.

This delivery is part of a larger plan involving 22 Nikken demining machines, six of which have been provided so far. Training for Ukrainian operators is being conducted at the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and in Japan. This initiative supports Ukraine in addressing mine contamination, which affects 174,000 square kilometers of its territory, or roughly one-third of the country. As of 2024, 30,000 square kilometers have been cleared, but significant challenges remain.